David Kahn | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1961-07-30)July 30, 1961 (age 64) |
| Education | UCLA NYU Law |
| Occupation | President |
| Organisation | Paris Basketball |
David Kahn (born July 30, 1961) is an American sports executive, attorney, and formersportswriter. He is the former president of basketball operations for theMinnesota Timberwolves of theNational Basketball Association and is the current president ofParis Basketball currently representing both theLNB Élite and theEuroLeague. Of most note, in the2009 NBA draft, he twice passed on draftingStephen Curry, instead choosing 2 other point guards (Ricky Rubio at #5 and thenJonny Flynn at #6).
Kahn was born to a Jewish family inPortland, Oregon with three siblings Robert Kahn, now living in Jerusalem, Steven Kahn, a personal injury lawyer in Portland, and Sarah Kahn Glass.[citation needed] His father, Garry L. Kahn, was the founder of personal injury firm Kahn & Kahn which his brother now runs.[1]
He attendedWoodrow Wilson High School (Portland, Oregon) before matriculating toUCLA, where he graduated with a degree in English in 1983.[2][3] While at UCLA, he was sports editor for theDaily Bruin for two years and aLos Angeles Times intern.[4] Upon his graduation, he returned to his hometown of Portland and worked as a sportswriter forThe Oregonian from 1983 through 1989, where he covered the local and national sports scene, including the NBA'sPortland Trail Blazers.[5][6]
After leaving theOregonian, Kahn received hisJ.D. degree fromNYU[7] and worked withProskauer Rose, the same law firm that represents the big four North American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL) in many of their legal matters, for several years.
Kahn was hired by theIndiana Pacers of theNational Basketball Association (NBA) in 1995, remaining with the organization until 2004, working mostly on the business side of the franchise.[8][9] After his tenure with the Pacers, Kahn returned to Portland and spearheaded an effort to lure theMontreal Expos or another major-league team to Portland; the Expos ultimately relocated toWashington, D.C., and became theNationals. Kahn's attempts to bring Major League Baseball to Portland were unsuccessful. Kahn was also involved in real estate ventures in the Portland area. In 2005, he purchased several teams in theNBA D-League.[10]
2009 NBA Draft
On May 22, 2009, Kahn was hired by theMinnesota Timberwolves as president of basketball operations to replaceKevin McHale.[9] In the2009 NBA draft, Minnesota held the #5 and #6 picks. Kahn selected point guard Ricky Rubio at #5 and then Jonny Flynn at #6, thus twice passing on selecting onStephen Curry, who was selected by the Golden State Warriors at #7.[11] Although Rubio went on to have a long NBA career, Flynn played only two seasons. Curry (as of 2022) became a multiple-time All-Star, All-NBA, Finals MVP, MVP, all-time three-point leader, and league champion. Kahn has had little to say about passing on Curry. When asked in 2019, he deflected, noting that many other teams had also passed on Curry. Despite Minnesota having the #5 and #6 picks meaning only four out of the 28 other NBA teams besides Minnesota and Golden State passed on him.[12]
Curry himself (in 2018 on the Ringer[13] and 2022 on Draymond Green's podcast[14]) relayed the rumor that his love of golf and Minnesota's inclement weather was a reason Kahn / Minnesota passed on him.
Kahn also drafted multiple players who are considered busts, such asWesley Johnson andDerrick Williams. Echoing comments some columnists made after Kahn made several controversial moves in the summer of 2010,ESPN writersChad Ford andJohn Hollinger called his tenure "baffling".[15]
On May 2, 2013, Kahn was released from the Timberwolves after they did not exercise their option on his contract, instead hiringFlip Saunders for a second stint with the team.[16]
On July 12, 2018, Kahn was announced as the president ofParis Basketball in theLNB Pro B.[17] In 2021, Kahn's Paris Basketball team was promoted to theLNB Pro A after gaining the second-best record in the 2020–21 LNB Pro B season behind onlyFos Provence Basket. During the2023–24 LNB Élite season, under his leadership behind the scenes, Paris Basketball would win both theEuroCup Championship and theLNB Élite Leaders Cup, as well as be the runners-up to the championship-winningAS Monaco Basket in that season's playoffs.
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)The baffling tenure of ... David Kahn and the long-running incompetence of owner Glen Taylor combine to give the Timberwolves the lowest score for management...