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Golden State Warriors: Kirk Lacob, Mike Dunleavy Jr. among candidates to replace Bob Myers

By Rohan Borges

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers (left) and owner Joe Lacob watch their team play the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on October 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers (left) and owner Joe Lacob watch their team play the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on October 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are on the lookout for a new General Manager/President of Basketball Operations after Bob Myers confirmed his departure from the franchise in an emotional media address on Tuesday.

After the conclusion of Myers’ contract at the end of June, the 2022 NBA champions will have a new general manager for the first time in 11 years. The 48-year-old was promoted to the role in 2012 having joined the franchise as an assistant general manager the year prior.

It seems like part of the plan to replace and succeed Bob Myers as general manager is already being set in motion at the Golden State Warriors.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Warriors owner Joe Lacob is expected to seek more prominent roles for his son, Kirk, an executive VP of Basketball Operations, and VP of Basketball Operations Mike Dunleavy Jr.”

When Joe Lacob and Peter Guber purchased the Golden State Warriors back in 2010, his son Kirk was almost immediately appointed in the front office. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2012, and in 2019 he became the assistant Vice President of Basketball Operations. Over the years, Kirk has earned a prominent role in Golden State’s front office, even establishing himself as one of Bob Myers’ highest-ranking assistants.

Tim Kawakami of The Athletic went into more detail about Kirk Lacob’s history with the organization:

"“It’s always been generally assumed that Kirk is the heir apparent. He’s obsessive about basketball. He’s put in the work — he’s the one who was assigned to show why a G League affiliate would work for the Warriors, he arranged the purchase of the team, moved it to Santa Cruz and ran it for a few years, helping to make it a vital part of the Warriors’ holdings.”"

Golden State Warriors’ pair Kirk Lacob and Steve Kerr during 2018 Summer League. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ pair Kirk Lacob and Steve Kerr during 2018 Summer League. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

A former player who was drafted by the Warriors in 2002, Mike Dunleavy Jr. joined the front office in 2018 as a scout. He was promoted to assistant general manager before taking on his current role as assistant Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Dunleavy Jr. has long been viewed as the natural successor to Myers’ and as Marc J. Spears of Andscape first reported, Dunleavy Jr. even attended the NBA’s General Manager meetings instead of Myers earlier this month.

During a conversation with Tim Kawakami on his podcast earlier in May, Steve Kerr spoke about his relationship with Dunleavy Jr.

"“He and Bob are best friends, and I think just through Bob I’ve gotten to know Mike well, to the point now where Mike and I talk pretty frequently just calling each other, touching base on the team,” Kerr said. “You know, I like to get his thoughts…Mike’s got a great feel for the league, great perspective, and he’s someone I really trust.”"

Next. Aggregate Mock Draft sees Golden State Warriors take Son of 2x NBA Champion. dark

While Myers’ exit brings a close to an incredible chapter of Warriors basketball, the story of their dynasty is still being written. Golden State has key structural and financial decisions to make this summer and with an expensive new luxury tax set to kick in, they will need powerful, reliable voices to facilitate both the NBA draft process and contract negotiations moving forward.

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