The Memphis Grizzlies announce today the departure of CEO Jason Levien and GM Stu Lash. My sources say the departure was because a dispute between Owner Robert Pera and Jason Levien.
This news has cause some uncertainty in Memphis, because no one saw this move coming. Local sports radio and the voice of the Memphis Grizzlies, Eric Hasseltine said, “If you would had asked him something about the Grizzles this morning, he would have thought that this would happen.”
This not the first time the Grizzlies have had a crazy offseason. Last season, the Grizzlies did not sign back the winningest coach in Grizzlies history, Lionel Hollins. That move cause a lot of fans to question the front offices and I’m sure their will be more questions this offseason. The Grizzlies have to move quick, the draft is in late June and free agency starts July 1st.
The first move the Grizzlies made was putting GM Chris Wallace back in charge of basketball operations. Wallace was in charge before Levien and Lash took over. Chief Operations Officer Jason Wexler will remain responsible for business operations.
The next big question is will the Grizzlies keep John Hollinger and Dave Joerger? Both guys were hired by Lash. Joerger won 50 games in first season with the Grizzlies, but will he and Hollinger fit in with the moves for the Grizzlies. But will be the new moves for the Grizzlies?
It is safe to say that a lot of change is on the horizon for the Grizzlies. I believe that the change will help the Grizzlies in the future. I honesty believe that the friendship between Pera and Levien was not genuine. They did not seem very close to me, but this is just my thoughts. Sources say that Pera bought in his lawyer and his lawyer did not see eye to eye with Lash. I believe some trust was lost between Pera and Levien and cause the shakeup.
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