Jason Quick of The Oregonian is reporting that John Hammond is a candidate for the open general manager position with the Portland Trailblazers. They have not, however, asked the Bucks for permission to speak with Hammond.

(Blazers President Larry) Miller said Friday that the 57-year-old Hammond will be a candidate, but he added that he has yet to ask the Bucks for permission to interview Hammond.

The Blazers have had a vacancy at general manager since Cho was fired on May 23 last year. Chad Buchanan, the team’s director of college scouting, has been acting general manager since Cho’s firing.

Hammond was a finalist for the position in 2003 when Portland hired John Nash. Interestingly, the Blazers also have an opening at the head coaching position, as Nate McMillian was let go in March and replaced with Kaleb Canales on an interim basis. (Hello, Scott Skiles.)

TNT Broadcaster and former Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr is also a potential candidate for the GM spot.

**********

In other news, the NBA released the following statement after suspending Larry Sanders two games for his role in starting Thursday night’s fracas in Indiana:

Milwaukee Bucks forward Larry Sanders has been suspended two games without pay for initiating an altercation, failing to leave the court in a timely manner and actions following his ejection — all during the Bucks’ 118-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Given that Sanders is slated to make $1.86 million salary for the 2011-12 season, his fine should shake out to about $46,000. David West and Danny Granger of the Pacers were each fined $25,000 without suspension.