Player personnel decisions end with the head coach, Jeff Van Gundy. CD has input, and is responsible for signing those players to contracts, but that is where his job ends.
Acctuly all the play movement comes down to Les if he gives the OK CD makes his move. I just hope Les is giving CD an ok to bring in Bobby Jackson!!!!!!!!
So you think JVG said to CD don't worry about getting me a rebounder or a PG? Doesn't sound like JVG to me. But, you are right that JVG has had some definite influence. I don't think he wanted Charlie as his starting PG though and I'm sure they were trying to work deals to get a rebounder. I shouldn't blame CD either. It's not like he was given a blank check to go after rebounds.
(1) No, I think CD went to the whiteboard, and said "Here are all the available guys. Which ones do you want me to pursue? I feel [a], , [c], and [d] fit within our budget and can best fit our needs." If JVG said "OK, [d], but I prefer [e], [f], and [g]," then CD goes after [d] - [g]. (2) I don't think Charlie Ward was his first choice to start, but he is a guy Van Gundy wanted, with an eye toward him playing more than nominal minutes. (3) There are no "blank checks" in the NBA.
