MEMPHIS, April 19 (UPI) -- The Memphis Grizzlies fired General Manager Billy Knight Friday after back-to-back 23-59 seasons.
Knight, the GM of the Grizzlies for the past two years, had one year left on his contract. But Memphis finished with the league's third-worst record this season after Knight orchestrated a series of moves to overhaul the roster.
He sent the franchise's all-time leading scorer, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, to the Atlanta Hawks for a draft pick that became Pau Gasol, and swapped point guards with the Sacramento Kings, dealing Mike Bibby for Jason Williams.
Before joining the Grizzlies, Knight spent 14 years with the Indiana Pacers, the last three as vice president of basketball operations.
Memphis did not name a replacement for Knight, but there is speculation that the Grizzlies will talk with Los Angeles Lakers consultant Jerry West about joining the organization.
West resigned two years ago as vice president of basketball operations for the Lakers after laying the foundation for a team that has won back-to-back NBA titles.
Knight played 12 seasons of pro basketball,including nine in the NBA.
