Nets promote Vandeweghe to general manager

Posted: Thu May 8 5:32 PM

East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - The New Jersey Nets promoted Kiki Vandeweghe to general manager on Thursday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are pleased that Kiki will continue his relationship with the Nets organization," said team president Rod Thorn. "When Kiki joined us in December, I felt his experience as both an All-Star player and front office executive would be an invaluable asset to both myself and the franchise, and his work in the ensuing months has reinforced that belief."

Vandeweghe originally came to the franchise as special assistant to Thorn back on December 31, and completed the season at that post dealing with the club's scouting department.

In addition, the 49-year-old was instrumental in formulating the mid-season deal which saw Devin Harris and a pair of draft picks acquired from Dallas. New Jersey finished the 2007-2008 season at 34-48, fourth place in the Atlantic Division and out of the playoffs.

"I am very excited about continuing my involvement with the Nets organization," Vandeweghe said. "I want to thank Mr. Ratner and Rod for the opportunity, and I look forward to working with Rod, the coaching staff and the players as we attempt to reestablish the Nets as one of the premier teams in the league."

Vandeweghe had previously served as GM for the Denver Nuggets from 2001-2006, reshaping the club which won only 17 games in 2002-2003 into a solid playoff club in the Western Conference. Perhaps his best move in that period was drafting Carmelo Anthony with the third-overall pick in the 2003 draft.

Prior to his time in Denver, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks.

The UCLA graduate was a two-time NBA All-Star over a 13-year career with the Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Knicks and Clippers.