Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien, assistant GM Stu Lash fired in front office shakeup
The Memphis Grizzlies announced a major shakeup to their front offense Monday.
The shakeup comes after a reported clash between team owner Robert Pera and CEO Jason Levien. After discussions with management, both Levien and assistant general manager Stu Lash were "abruptly ousted," according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Levien had helped broker Pera's purchase of the team from the late Michael Heisley in June 2012.
The team announced these changes in a statement on Monday:
Release from @memgrizz announcing the departure of Levien and Lash: pic.twitter.com/ZE24ivb9lK
— 929ESPN (@929espn) May 19, 2014
This shakeup comes a year after the Grizzlies fired head coach Lionel Hollins, despite the team making it through to the Western Conference finals.
The moves leave the futures of head coach Dave Joerger and vice president of basketball operations John Holliger uncertain. Longtime executive Chris Wallace will assume interim control of the team's basketball operations.
Memphis situation surprising everywhere. Levien repped the Grizz at GM meetings last week. No indications then that this was in the works.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) May 19, 2014
Grizzlies guard Tony Allen spoke for many when he tweeted: "Wow."