Donnie Walsh done as Knicks GM/President

[elcheato]

NEW YORK -- Donnie Walsh's tenure as president and general manager of the New York Knicks is ending, team owner James Dolan said Friday.

"Following a long series of discussions regarding his future role with the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh and I have mutually agreed that he will be leaving his position ... at the end of June," Dolan said in a statement.

Walsh will work in a consultant's capacity for the team next season.

The stunning piece of news comes four weeks before Walsh's contract is due to expire, and after several weeks of face-to-face discussions between Walsh and Dolan. The team had imposed a news blackout around the discussions, and neither Walsh nor his agent had commented on his job status since the first round of the playoffs.

Walsh's departure opens questions about whether coach Mike D'Antoni will return for the final year of his contract.

The Knicks had an April 30 deadline to pick up the fourth-year option on Walsh's contract, which he signed in 2008 following the troubled tenure of former team president and coach Isiah Thomas. But that date passed with no action being taken, and Walsh and Dolan were discussing a new contract that would keep him with the team at least through the 2012-13 season. Walsh's desire to have full autonomy was reportedly one of the sticking points.

Thomas has continued to keep in contact with Dolan and was believed by many -- including Walsh, a team source said -- to be influencing the team's personnel decisions.

Walsh gutted the roster over his first two seasons to clear enough salary cap space to sign two maximum-salary free agents. LeBron James was No. 1 on the Knicks' wish list, but they settled for Amare Stoudemire last July and then got their second max player by acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets two days before the NBA trade deadline in mid-February.

But the Knicks gave up a lot in the trade -- Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Galinari, Anthony Randolph, Timofey Mozgov, several draft picks, cash and Eddy Curry's expiring contract -- and there was a school of thought (denied by the Knicks) that Dolan had taken over the negotiations and had undermined Walsh.

The Knicks were swept 4-0 by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

"In a relatively short time with the Knicks, Donnie made a tremendous impact, which will be felt for many years to come," Dolan said. "We thank Donnie for his leadership, hard work and many contributions to the revitalization of the team."

The Knicks said their search for a new president and general manager will begin immediately. Glen Grunwald, the club's senior vice president of basketball operations, will serve as interim GM beginning in July and will oversee all player transactions.

Walsh is scheduled to give a statement at 1:30 p.m. ET.

 

[.infamous]

And here comes Isiah Thomas to come in and destroy the Knicks lol

 

[RipCity32]

Bad move by the Knicks.

 

[Yankees2772]

I'm waiting to hear why this happened, there are a million possibilities and I doubt it's because we thought he was a bad GM or that there was someone better available.

Thing is, there is not much for a GM to do with the Knicks now. If CP3 wants to sign with the Knicks next year, you sign him. Otherwise, look for the best defensive/rebounding Center in free agency and sit on the team that Donnie already built.

 

[dez]

Bullshit

Hopefully their bringing in Houston as the GM, Donnie vouched for him before.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I've been saying this would happen since the trade for Melo was made. Walsh didn't like the trade, but he was forced to do it by ownership. He doesn't want his name associated with it.

 

[cruzg24]

Damn this is a bad move and I hope it doesnt lead to some stupid Gm who wont know what to do with the team.

 

[SaintFan25]

 

[DJT]

I heard his health was bad....but I dunno.

I remember a time when Knick fans wanted Walsh's head on a platter...

AND he's staying with the team as a consultant.

 

[Pugz]

his health has been bad. thats nothing new. theyre keeping him around so its not a slap in the face. and even with him staying around, what the point? they didnt even listen to him about the melo deal anyways.

 

[SaintFan25]

And here comes Isiah Thomas to come in and destroy the Knicks lol

Lol he's about to do an interview on Sportscenter.

 

[.infamous]

Lol he's about to do an interview on Sportscenter.

smfh.

 

[SaintFan25]

smfh.

If they end up giving him the job back I'll laugh my ass off.

 

[SaintFan25]

Isiah said he has no interest in the Knicks job, not sure if I believe that or not but that's good news for Knicks fans.

 

[.infamous]

Isiah said he has no interest in the Knicks job, not sure if I believe that or not but that's good news for Knicks fans.

but then he said that leaves all options open though. So he has some interest. i think if nolan asks him and gives him enough money, I can see him leaving FIU and going to the Knicks in a heartbeat.

 

[SaintFan25]

but then he said that leaves all options open though. So he has some interest. i think if nolan asks him and gives him enough money, I can see him leaving FIU and going to the Knicks in a heartbeat.

Yeah that's why I said I'm not sure if I believe it or not. I doubt he turns it down if they offer it to him.

 

[WhenIRap]

I think i might be forced to kill myself

 

[MR.ballin]

This makes me mad. Walsh has done a great job with the Knicks. Oh yeah FUCK ISIAH THOMAS even though he's not with us.

 

[lonesomefx]

The two knicks games I have DVR'd are Melo's first game, and the final game we played ( Game 4 against Celtics ), I'm about to watch those two games to see what we changed from the first game to the final. I want Donnie back, but I hope D'Antoni's time is done. Wish we could've snagged Mike Brown before LA.

 

[lonesomefx]

scratch that plan. someone decided to delete them -_____-