Kevin O'Connor has some new responsibilities and another title.
Jazz general manager. Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. Charter member of the NBA's revised Competition Committee.
O'Connor, the league's second-longest tenured GM, has been selected by the NBA to be on the newly formed committee, which includes four general managers, three head coaches, two owners and one National Basketball Players Association representative.
Previously, the Competition Committee consisted of the league's 30 GMs. That group is now called the General Managers Committee.
"The Board decided that the inclusion of owners and head coaches on the Competition Committee would add valuable perspectives to discussions about our game and how it might be improved," said Joel Litvin, NBA President of League Operations, in a news release. "At the same time, we will continue to receive input on competition and rules matters from all 30 teams through the General Managers Committee."
Competition Committee members include owners Dan Gilbert (Cavaliers) and Joe Lacob (Warriors); general managers O'Connor, Bryan Colangelo (Raptors), Mitch Kupchak (Lakers) and Sam Presti (Thunder); coaches Rick Carlisle (Mavericks), Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) and Doc Rivers (Celtics); and a yet-to-be named NBPA rep.
The Competition Committee is in charge of voting on the league's playing rules and competition-related matters before final approval is made by the Board of Governors (owners). The first of the regular meetings will take place during the NBA Finals.
The new General Managers Committee will meet annually to discuss the state of the game and various competition matters, according to the release.
SEATTLE ARENA PLAN MOVES FORWARD: Attempts to build a nearly $500 million arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle took another step forward on Wednesday. And if an NHL team turns out to not be part of the equation, the public investment will be less than originally believed. The city, King County and private investor Chris Hansen announced a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday laying out the financial responsibilities for the proposed venue.
The proposal included two significant changes, the result of three months of negotiations between Hansen and the local municipalities, from the original unveiled in February. The agreement indicates that construction on the facility could begin with only an NBA franchise on board.
BOBCATS TO INTERVIEW EWING: Two people familiar with the situation say the Bobcats will interview Orlando assistant Patrick Ewing on Thursday in Charlotte for their vacant head coaching position.
Contributing: The Associated Press