Kahn's journey in basketball management began in 1995 when he became the General Manager of the Indiana Pacers. During his time with the Pacers, Kahn was instrumental in building a team that reached the NBA Finals in 2000. He was also responsible for drafting future All-Stars like Jermaine O'Neal and Danny Granger.
In 2005, Kahn left the Pacers to start his own venture, a basketball development league called the NBA Development League (D-League). As the founder and owner, Kahn was responsible for the league's operations and its growth. The D-League has since been rebranded as the NBA G League and serves as the NBA's official minor league, providing opportunities for players to develop their skills and potentially earn a spot in the NBA.
In 2009, Kahn was appointed as the President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His tenure with the Timberwolves was marked by a series of controversial decisions, including the drafting of two point guards, Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn, in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, ahead of future NBA MVP Stephen Curry. Kahn's tenure also saw the Timberwolves endure several losing seasons, with the team failing to make the playoffs during his time in charge.
Despite the criticism, Kahn was responsible for several positive moves during his time with the Timberwolves. He hired Kurt Rambis as the team's head coach and made several key player acquisitions, including Kevin Love, who would go on to become one of the league's top players. Kahn also oversaw the development of several young players, including Rubio, who became a key player for the Timberwolves.
Kahn's tenure with the Timberwolves ended in 2013 when he was replaced by Flip Saunders. Despite the team's lack of success during his time in charge, Kahn's impact on the Timberwolves and the NBA as a whole cannot be understated. His work with the Pacers and the D-League, as well as his tenure with the Timberwolves, have left a lasting impact on the sport of basketball.
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