Clippers have long list of GM candidates

Though no decision is imminent, the Clippers have begun the process of finding a general manager to replace the departed Neil Olshey, according to officials from three NBA teams who were not authorized to speak publicly on the Clippers situation.

Clippers President Andy Roeser and Coach Vinny Del Negro have discussed possible GM candidates, but they haven’t yet taken anything to owner Donald Sterling.

Kiki Vandeweghe, former general manager of the Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets, interviewed with Roeser last week, the officials said. Vandeweghe spent last season as a basketball analyst and sideline reporter for Prime Ticket on Clippers games.

David Griffin, vice president of basketball operations with the Cleveland Cavaliers, talked with Roeser this month during the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago about replacing Olshey, who left the Clippers to become GM of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Representatives for Tony DiLeo, vice president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, have also spoken with Roeser about the opening.

Mark Warkentien, a former GM of the Denver Nuggets and a consultant for the New York Knicks, has expressed interest too, and is someone the Clippers are considering.

Jeff Weltman, the assistant general manger of the Milwaukee Bucks who once worked in the Clippers’ front office, also has been on Roeser’s radar.

Former Portland GM John Nash and current Detroit Pistons assistant general manager Scott Perry are considered longshots for the Clippers’ post.

It appears unlikely that the Clippers will have a new GM in place by Thursday night’s NBA draft or when free agency begins July 1, the officials said.

Meanwhile, Roeser, Del Negro and Clippers director of player personnel Gary Sacks will handle all the duties of the draft and free agency.

Sacks, who has been with the Clippers for 18 years, could become a candidate for the GM job as well, officials said.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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