Washington Wizards fire GM Ernie Grunfeld

After yet another disappointing season, the Washington Wizards announced that Ernie Grunfeld has been relieved of his duties as president.

“We did not meet our stated goals of qualifying for the playoffs this season and, despite playing with injuries to several key players, we have a culture of accountability and a responsibility of managing to positive outcomes,” said CEO Ted Leonsis in a statement.

According to the team's press release, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Tommy Sheppard will report to Leonsis on all basketball matters beginning immediately. The team will begin a search for a new head of basketball operations (which will include Sheppard as a candidate) upon conclusion of the season.

This past season the Wizards were hampered by a season-ending Achilles injury to star guard John Wall, but the team's problems also ran much deeper, as the team clearly lacked chemistry.  The offseason acquisition of Dwight Howard was predictably disappointing, and the squad's overall underachievement prompted Grunfeld to deal away Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris in separate deals.

The team also was involved in a mid-season trade fiasco when a three-way trade involving the Suns, Wizards, and Grizzlies was cancelled after Memphis failed to properly articulate which player -- MarShon Brooks or Dillon Brooks -- they had traded.

Grunfeld served as the Wizards’ president, overseeing basketball operations, for the past 16 seasons. He was hired prior to the 2003-04 season and compiled a record of 568-724 during his tenure with the franchise, reaching the playoffs eight times.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com