The Warriors have found their new general manager following the departure of Bob Myers.
On Friday, the team announced the promotion of vice president of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy Jr. as Myers' successor.
Dunleavy Jr. is a second-generation NBA player and executive. He has served in the Warriors' front office the past five years after a 15-year playing career. The former Duke star was drafted third overall by Golden State back in 2003.
The Warriors were set to introduce Dunleavy Jr. at a news conference on Monday.
In a statement, Warriors CEO Joe Lacob said Dunleavy Jr. is the "perfect fit" to take over for Myers, who announced shortly after the Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs that he would be stepping down effective June 30, following a hugely successful 11-year run in which the franchise won four NBA titles.
"We think Mike is the perfect fit to lead our basketball operations department," Lacob said. "He has a wealth of basketball knowledge, stemming from his family upbringing, 15-year playing career and five seasons serving under Bob Myers in our front office. He's young energetic, has established numerous relationships around the league and communicates well with players and coaches -- all important traits in this business. Mike's ready for this challenge and responsibility."
The development was met with mostly positive reactions among Warriors fans and media, who seem to view Dunleavy as a steady and competent link between the past and future.
On 95.7 The Game, "Morning Roast" hosts Bonta Hill and Allen Stiles said Dunleavy's promotion was unsurprising but encouraging.
"Big shoes to fill," Stiles said. "We don't know what we don't know -- we don't know how he's going to be. We know the moves that are probably at the top of his mind. But, he's been under Bob Myers' tutelage these last couple years. You've got to feel good about it. ... This was the safe move, right? We've just got to find out if it's going to pay off or not."
Hill agreed.
"This was the worst-kept secret around these parts in a while," Hill said. "Steiny hinted at it, Bob Myers hinted at it during his presser when he said, 'Mike's a great guy, he could fill in.' Steve Kerr was on the Tim Kawakami Podcast a couple months ago, basically talking up Mike Dunleavy Jr., and those around the organization kind of knew that if Bob did step away, they had their replacement in Mike Dunleavy Jr."
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