Earlier today, the Grizzlies announced that they have parted ways with CEO Jason Levien and assistant GM Stu Lash. Reportedly, the shakeup may not stop there.
The futures of coach Dave Joerger and exec John Hollinger are also up in the air. Sources tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com that owner Robert Pera expressed internal dismay with Joerger early in the season and contemplated firing him before the Grizzlies steadied themselves. The Grizzlies announced that longtime team executive Chris Wallace has been re-installed as head of basketball operations “for the time being,” but Stein hears that Grizzlies general counsel Dave Mincberg will take a more prominent role in the team’s decision-making going forward.
Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal (on Twitter) spoke with Wallace who told him that Joerger is and will remain the coach. However, Bill Simmons of ESPN (on Twitter) hears that if the Grizzlies totally clean house, Pera will look to work out a trade with the Bulls for Tom Thibodeau and give him a role similar to what Stan Van Gundy now has with the Pistons. If the Bulls traded Thibodeau, they would turn around and hire Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg as their next head coach, Simmons tweets. By dealing Thibs, the Bulls can add extra assets that can help them in the chase for Wolves star Kevin Love.
Bulls better get a lot more than pick 22 for Thibs.
As a Bulls fan, this is what I don’t get. What asset can the Griz hand over to help the Bulls in acquiring Love? Bulls can throw Mirotic, the 16th, the 19th, and a player(s) at Memphis right now. What is the 22nd going to do for Minny?
I totally agree. That will not be a deal maker for Minnesota. I’m not excited thinking 22 for Thibodeau. There has to be a future 1st or a lopsided player deal included. I wouldn’t trade Thibs for any pick above 7th.
Griz are apparently keeping Joerger, so the entire issue may be moot.
Yah this was a non-discussion. They don’t have anything valuable that we’d want even if we did want to ditch Thibs. Even if you could get players for the coach, Gasol and Conley wouldn’t fit. Outside of them, the only player on that team I’d even look at is Ed Davis, and he’s not enough to make you give up Thibs.