WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- Washington Wizards General Manager Wes Unseld plans to take a leave of absence after the NBA draft on June 26, the team announced Friday.
Unseld, who has been with the franchise since 1968 and spent the last seven seasons as general manager, did not reveal the reason for his decision or how long he would be away from the team.
"It's time for me to take a break," the Hall of Famer said. "I've been putting some things off for several years now that I need to address, but it was important to me to leave on my own terms and in my own time frame. I've been coming to work here for 36 years and I'm ready for a change."
Unseld informed Wizards owner Abe Pollin of his decision Thursday.
"When Wes told me of his decision, I was shocked, but at the same time I understood his thinking," Pollin said. "He has done so much for so many people, including me, and now I'm glad that Wes will finally have time to do something for himself."
The Wizards did not immediately name a replacement.
Despite the presence of Michael Jordan, the Wizards were 37-45 and failed to make the playoffs for a sixth straight year.
Unseld has been with the franchise since being taken with the second pick in the 1968 NBA draft. He became only the second player in league history to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in the same year.
Unseld led the Bullets to an NBA title title 1978 and he retired in 1981 following 12 straight seasons in which the Bullets qualified for the playoffs. He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1998, two years after he was selected as one of the league's 50 Greatest Players.
Unseld has served in various capacities with the organization since his retirement as a player, including a seven-year stint as coach and seven years as general manager.
