After an offseason of near constant front-office turnover, the Denver Nuggets are moving closer to filling the league's last general manager vacancy.According to sources with knowledge of the process, former Phoenix senior vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is an overwhelming favorite to be given the job. The former Suns executive left his old post in June after the surprising resignation of general manager Steve Kerr.
The interview process appears to have come to an end today, as sources say Toronto assistant general manager Masai Uriji had his chance to speak to the club about the position. Yet while Uriji, Atlanta assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft, Griffin and former Sacramento assistant general manager Jason Levien are all believed to have been considered, sources said Washington vice president of basketball operations/former Nuggets employee Tommy Sheppard is not -- as has been reported -- part of the process.
The former Nuggets executive's absence, according to sources, is by his own doing and one of many signs that Griffin has the inside track. The two men are represented by the same agent, Warren LeGarie, meaning the state of one's candidacy would be well known by the other.
Griffin has close ties to Denver advisor Bret Bearup, the last of the three front office decision makers remaining after Rex Chapman and Mark Warkentien were let go earlier this month. Sources said the two spent significant time together during a pre-draft workout in Minneapolis in June, even attending a Twins baseball game. They were routinely seen together in Las Vegas during summer league as well.
A final decision is expected to come no later than next week, sources said, although it could be sooner.
E-mail Sam at amick.sam@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @samickFanHouse.
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