Jerry West Leaving Grizzlies When Contract Ends June 30

West Says He Will Step Down From Grizzlies Post In July

Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West will step down when his contract expires June 30, citing age, as well as “turmoil surrounding a potential sale of the team and the need for a new voice,” according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. West “is committed to overseeing operations through the NBA draft.” He indicated that he is “prepared to advise [Majority Owner Michael] Heisley on hiring a coach, and a [GM] and president of basketball operations — insisting that the organization needs two people to run the basketball side.” West said of his future, “I’m going to keep my options open. But I can’t envision myself working on a full-time basis” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/18). West said of leaving the Grizzlies, “There’s been a lot of turmoil here. The ownership thing [Heisley is trying to sell the team] made it very difficult to concentrate on what we need to do here to improve our basketball team” (AP, 4/18).

REAX: ESPN’s Michael Wilbon noted West “referred to this ownership dispute thing in Memphis, which you know has got to drive someone like him crazy because he’s about putting the product on the floor. When that franchise came from Vancouver, it was nothing. Only with Jerry West’s arrival did the Grizzlies become respectable” (“PTI,” ESPN, 4/17). ESPN’s Tim Legler said West “really did as [well] as you could expect in Memphis with really what he had” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 4/17). A Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL editorial: “More than anything, ... the Grizzlies need some stability and a sense of direction. Let’s hope Heisley [who said he will recommit himself to the team if it is not sold by May 1] can provide that, not only for basketball fans but for all local taxpayers who would share the burden if the team doesn’t generate enough money to cover debt payments on FedExForum” (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/18).