The Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and reassigned general manager Chris Wallace to a scouting role, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Grizzlies went 33-49 this season. Bickerstaff took over for David Fizdale last season after Memphis fired Fizdale.
Bickerstaff went 48-97 with the Grizzlies:
Sources: The Memphis Grizzlies are firing coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 11, 2019
The Grizzlies dismissed coach J.B. Bickerstaff and reassigned GM Chris Wallace to a scouting capacity in the front office, league sources tell ESPN. VP John Hollinger will also move into a senior advisory role.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2019
Sources: The Grizzlies are promoting Jason Wexler to President, overseeing both business and basketball — and Zach Kleiman to Executive VP of Basketball Operations as the day-to-day lead on basketball matters. https://t.co/AWOekLnBF4
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2019
Chris Wallace told reporters on Wednesday Bickerstaff was coming back next season. It looks like Wallace didn't know he was going to be reassigned as well.
The Grizzlies traded center Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors at the February trade deadline. The franchise is widely expected to move point guard Mike Conley this summer. The team is looking to build around young big man Jaren Jackson Jr.
It's going to be interesting to see who the Grizzlies hire as their next head coach. This is a team rebuilding in the rugged Western Conference. Potential coaches will also look at what just happened with Wallace and Bickerstaff.
After making the playoffs seven years in a row, Memphis has missed it two straight seasons. It's always tough to rebuild in the NBA, but Memphis had to considering the West is so tough and Gasol and Conley are getting older.
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