Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that Jason Levien, assistant GM for the Sacramento Kings, is leaving the team.
Sources said Thursday that Levien plans to continue working in the NBA but wanted to pursue other opportunities after two seasons with the Kings.
The timing is curious because, according to SB Nation’s SacTown Royalty, Levien was given a promotion in March of this year.
Stein also notes that Levien’s name has recently come up in discussion about Phoenix’s open general manager position.
ESPN.com reported last month that Levien was one of several names under consideration for the GM opening in Phoenix created by Steve Kerr’s departure. San Antonio assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey is the reported front-runner for the position, but Suns owner Robert Sarver has said he is considering up to 10 candidates, with former New Jersey Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe Milwaukee executive Jeff Weltman also mentioned as likely targets.
Levien is known as an up-and-coming star, a young executive who is an experienced negotiator and good at forging relationships with players.
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