WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- The Washington Wizards have released Patrick Ewing from his contract as an assistant with the team.
Ewing is free to sign with any team, but is rumored to be joining the staff of Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets. He has two months remaining on his Washington contract.
"Patrick and I have a longstanding friendship," said Ernie Grunfeld, who was hired recently as Washington's President of Basketball Operations and was general manager of the Knicks from 1994-99. "I know that he has another great opportunity and we will not stand in his way."
After announcing his retirement as a player last September, Ewing was lured to Washington by Michael Jordan to serve as an assistant coach. Jordan was fired from Grunfeld's new job in May.
The Wizards named Phil Hubbard to replace Ewing as their third assistant. He spent the past three seasons as an assistant with Golden State.
