The San Antonio Spurs have hired former Utah Jazz assistant coach and Knicks president Scott Layden as their assistant general manager. Layden, who has over two decades of NBA front-office experience, will primarily focus on the Spurs’ scouting department. Via Yahoo Sports: “Front-office jobs with the Spurs are considered golden in the NBA, largely because of the chance to work under GM RC Buford and president-coach Gregg Popovich. In recent years, Spurs assistant GMs – including Lindsey, Danny Ferry, Sam Presti and Dell Demps – have taken a fast-track to becoming top executives elsewhere. Layden had a well-regarded run as the Jazz GM, before embarking on a tumultuous 4½-year stay in New York in 1999. As Jazz GM from 1992-99, Layden’s draft picks and deals played a significant part in the organization’s two trips to the NBA Finals and three straight 60-victory seasons. One of Layden’s primary responsibilities will be administering the Spurs’ scouting department.”