HoopsHype.com Rumors

Brian T. Smith: Kevin O'Connor on the record about Josh Howard: "I haven't made an official offer, no. That's incorrect. Have we talked about stuff? Yeah." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Josh Howard, Kevin O'Connor 

Jody Genessy: Kevin O'Connor said Earl Watson represents everything good about the NBA. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Earl Watson, Kevin O'Connor 

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said he likes the core of this year's team, and that includes Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, both rumored to be on the trading block. He also refused to use the term rebuilding despite the team's youth. Deseret News

Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Kevin O'Connor, Paul Millsap 

Brian T. Smith: Asked whether he wants to see Jazz's rebuilding project through, O'Connor said without question. Excited for new era. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor 

Jody Genessy: Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor credited NBA schedule-maker for doing a "terrific job." He thought Utah fared well in the back-to-back department. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor, Schedule 

Joe Freeman: A source also denies the Blazers "reached out" to Dallas' Donnie Nelson and Utah's Kevin O'Connor, as had been reported. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Donnie Nelson, Kevin O'Connor 

The Blazers continue to keep their GM search under tight wraps, having told all of the candidates they'd already interviewed over the summer that they were going in another direction and would be looking for executives who'd been in the GM chair for a long time. And the names that many outside of Portland (no one in the 503 is talking, of course) have attached to the job are Utah's Kevin O'Connor and Sacramento's Geoff Petrie. And O'Connor's and Petrie's track records would make them top candidates anywhere. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Geoff Petrie, Kevin O'Connor 

Marc Stein: The two names other execs are talking about RE: Portland search for new GM are Sacramento's Geoff Petrie and Utah's Kevin O'Connor. But Kings told me Blazers have NOT called for permission to talk to Petrie and Yahoo & @Brian T. Smith say POR has not yet called to talk to O'Connor Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Geoff Petrie, Kevin O'Connor 

The most recent discussed within the organization, sources said, has been the Utah Jazz’s Kevin O’Connor, but there’s no indication they even reached out to him. Yahoo! Sports

Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor 

Brian T. Smith: Source with direct knowledge of situation says Blazers have not officially contacted Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor about open GM job. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor 

For now they're bonding and building a foundation together. They've even spent time doing "fantasy training camps," running sponsors and elite season-ticket holders through drills similar to what Jazz players go through on a daily non-lockout basis. One hard part for Jazz coaches and management, though, is not being able to contact or work with their players. That's a costly no-no. "I wouldn't call it frustrating," O'Connor said. "I'd call it paranoia." Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor, Lockout 

Jody Genessy: Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor was asked if he is a Twitter person at Thursday's presser. "No. I read one once. I didn't like it, so I shut it off." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Twitter, Kevin O'Connor 

Brian T. Smith: Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor said Sidney Lowe received "rave reviews" from Mike Fratello, Jerry West. "We did our homework in checking on him." Twitter

Utah Jazz, Coaching, Jerry West, Kevin O'Connor, Mike Fratello, Sidney Lowe 

It's unknown whether any deals involving those three players will go down, but even hearing their names in trade rumors begs the question if anybody on the team is untouchable a la Karl Malone and John Stockton. Kevin O'Connor's response to that question? "Greg Miller," the Jazz general manager quipped. While media members chuckled, O'Connor continued: "He owns the team, so he and Gail (Miller) are untouchable. Outside of that, I think we're all available for trades." He wasn't about to tip his hand, but O'Connor didn't rule out the possibility of a draft-day deal. "Because we have two more picks, we hear more talk," O'Connor admitted. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Trade, Kevin O'Connor 

ESPN took a commercial break at that point while they assembled representatives of the three remaining teams center stage. That meant Kahn stepped forth. So did Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor. And so did Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's bespectacled, bow-tied 14-year-old son, Nick, who is afflicted with a rare neurological disease. "I did tell Kevin O'Connor when the three of us were asked to stand up on that little elevated stage, as soon as the 14 year old joined us, we were toast," Kahn said. "There was no way the 14 year old was about to be denied in a league that has a habit of compelling storylines." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Draft, Dan Gilbert, Kevin O'Connor, David Kahn 

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said today that coach Tyrone Corbin is not expected to add new assistants until after the 2011 NBA Draft, which is scheduled June 23 in Newark, N.J. "I don't want to speak for Ty, but I don't think we're going to make any decisions or any movement until we go through draft," O'Connor said. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Draft, Coaching, Kevin O'Connor, Tyrone Corbin 

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor pointed in the direction of the franchise's two newest veterans — Al Jefferson and Devin Harris — while recently talking about the subject. O'Connor teased Harris and Jefferson at season's end: "I said, 'Myself and Coach (Tyrone) Corbin and you and Al, we're the four guys who are going to get the blame next year, so tie your hat on.' " Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson, Devin Harris, Kevin O'Connor 

Less than a week before he was traded by the Jazz to the Nets, Deron Williams lamented that in Utah, "It's hard to get free agents. It is. You look at [the Jazz] the last couple years, besides Booz [Carlos Boozer], we haven't had any really big free agents. Most people either got traded or drafted. We had some great second-round picks that have blossomed for us, Paul Millsap, Jeremy Evans, some of those. It's hard. I mean, I've tried. I recruit the heck out of people." So did Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor. "Do you make a call to those people?" O'Connor said. "Sure. If they say no, you move on. Those are excuses. You can win. If your ownership's committed, you can win." ESPN.com

Utah Jazz, Free Agency, Kevin O'Connor 

Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said that the organization planned to keep a close eye on the former D-Leaguer during his 10-day run, and Utah coach Tyrone Corbin has already been impressed with Weaver’s dedication and drive. The aggressive but smooth attack Weaver delivered against the Kings; his energy, confidence and professional delivery — all traits that Corbin has called for from better-paid players performing with the security of guaranteed contracts. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz, Kevin O'Connor, Kyle Weaver 

What is Kirilenko's future like with the Jazz? Kevin O'Connor: I wouldn't have a comment on it. It's going to be up to him. What does he want to do? He's got an opportunity to test the free-agent market. There's nothing we can do about it. He's fulfilled his contract. We've fulfilled our side of it. Would we like him back? Sure. Absolutely. And that's a conversation we'll have. He's got other options because he's a foreign player ... He likes it here. That's what he's told us. Andrei said he'd like to be back. He's said he likes it here. That's the only thing. I take a man at his word, and that's what I'm taking from him. Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin O'Connor