Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace made his first significant moves since returning to control over the team’s basketball operations department in the past 24 hours, agreeing on an extension with Zach Randolph and coming away with Jordan Adams and Jarnell Stokes from the draft. Owner Robert Pera had praise for Wallace Friday morning on 92.9FM ESPN radio in Memphis, but he also shed some light on the future of Wallace’s role as the team interviews candidates for a GM-in-waiting gig. Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal provides a subscription-only transcription of Pera’s hour-long talk. We’ll share three of the owner’s most relevant comments:
On Wallace:
“What he says is the truth. He doesn’t play any games. …We might very well promote Chris Wallace to president of basketball operations. It’s wide open. Either way, Chris Wallace is staying around.”
On the agreement to sign Zach Randolph to an extension:
“We’re excited about that. Our two goals were making sure Zach was happy and focused and our other goal was to surround Zach with the right pieces to win a championship.”
On former CEO Jason Levien:
“Part of what makes me successful in my career is if I have a feeling about something or an instinct I go ahead and do it. Once I get a sense, I’m aggressive and I do it. [Levien and I] became fast friends. Over the course of time, what I learned is he’s very talented but I felt it was my responsibility to make sure the organization and the culture is headed toward a championship. I have my reasons and I stepped in and made a change. …I don’t think it was a bad thing.”