Work in Memphis
Chris Wallace was hired to replace outgoing president Jerry West for the 2007-08 season. Wallace stated in an initial press conference that his goal is to one day win a championship with this team and head coach Marc Iavaroni. He was brought to work in Memphis just days before the 2007 draft, where the Grizzlies chose point guard Mike Conley, Jr. with the fourth pick. Iavaroni lasted for just over a year as coach before being fired.
Wallace was heavily criticized for trading away the Grizzlies' 27-year old franchise player, Pau Gasol, to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1, 2008. In exchange, the Grizzlies received a rookie 2nd round pick who had not played in the NBA yet (Marc Gasol), plus a pair of very low future first round picks (Lakers' 2008 and 2010). Many fans and sports commentators believed that the Grizzlies did not receive enough talent in return for Gasol and that the deal was a salary dump. The move also puzzled some rivals. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was quoted by Sports Illustrated saying "What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension. There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I would have voted no to the LA trade."
Read more about this topic: Chris Wallace (NBA General Manager)
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