University of Tennessee Athletics
Former UT Great Grunfeld Hired By Wizards
June 30, 2003 | Men's Basketball
June 30, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - Ernie Grunfeld was hired as president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards on Monday, a day after he was released from his contract by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Grunfeld, who ranks second on the Vols' all-time scoring list with 2249 points, takes over the job that had belonged to Michael Jordan. The Wizards went 37-45 in the two years Jordan held that position while playing his final two years in the NBA.
Jordan was supposed to return to his front-office role, but Washington owner Abe Pollin decided not to bring him back.
At last week's NBA draft, Washington's picks were made by outgoing general manager Wes Unseld. It was crucial that the Wizards find a permanent replacement for Jordan because Tuesday is the first day teams can begin discussions with free agents.
On Sunday, the Bucks released Grunfeld from the final year of his contract as general manager so he could pursue other jobs. He was earning $1.5 million a year.
Bucks owner Herb Kohl also said he has decided not to sell the team to Jordan. Kohl said he had extensive negotiations with Jordan, but he didn't want to part with the team now.
Grunfeld spent the previous four seasons as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, where the team's 14 playoff wins during his tenure exceeded the team's cumulative total in the 12 seasons prior to his arrival. In four seasons with Milwaukee, the Bucks posted a record of 177-151 (.540) and never finished below .500 while making the playoffs three times. Grunfeld was named general manager of the Bucks on August 13, 1999 after 17 seasons with Knicks.
During Grunfeld's reign as the Knicks top personnel executive, New York advanced to at least the Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs each season. His tenure included five 50-plus win seasons, three Atlantic Division Championships and two trips to the NBA Finals in 1994 and 1999. In eight seasons as general manager or vice-president of player personnel, his Knicks teams had a record of 397-227 (.636) and a 61-44 record in the playoffs.
Grunfeld was named the Knicks director of administration in 1990-91 and was quickly promoted to vice-president of player personnel on April 23, 1991. After two seasons, he was named vice president and general manager on July 21, 1993. He was promoted to president and general manager of the Knicks on February 23, 1996.
Originally drafted by Milwaukee with the 11th overall selection in the 1977 NBA Draft, Grunfeld played in the NBA for nine seasons. After two seasons in Milwaukee, Grunfeld played for the Kansas City Kings from 1979-1982 before signing with the Knicks as a free agent in 1982. Grunfeld played in New York for four seasons, retiring following the 1985-86 season. In 693 career NBA games, Grunfeld averaged 7.4 points per game.
