Blazers meet with ex-Hornets GM Bower, plan to talk to Morway

The Portland Trail Blazers' year-long search for a new general manager has continued in earnest, as sources said owner Paul Allen met with former Hornets general manager Jeff Bower last week and Pacers general manager David Morway will meet with team officials on Wednesday.

Blazers president Larry Miller told local media on Monday that Allen had met with a candidate last week, but Bower's identity was not revealed. Morway had previously indicated that he was focused on the Pacers' playoffs, but Indiana downed Orlando in the first round and the break in action before the second round allowed him to discuss the opportunity.

A source close to the situation said that Allen will not take part in Morway's interview, but Miller and Allen's top adviser, Bert Kolde, will meet with him. The Blazers have been looking for a replacement GM since the unexpected firing of Rich Cho last May. Chad Buchanan has been the acting GM since and he is also considered a candidate for the job.

Bower was with the Hornets from 1995 until 2010, serving as an advanced scout, head coach and director of player personnel before spending the last five years as the general manager.