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But President Ernie Grunfeld said he has no plans to abandon the long-term strategy of building through the draft and developing unseasoned talent. Dismissing Saunders less than two years after Grunfeld decided to dismantle the team he hired Saunders to coach altered the captain, but not the course. “I think we’ve been pretty transparent,” Grunfeld said in a telephone interview. “We all knew it was going to be a process. Obviously, everyone would like to be a championship contender every year. But we’re in a different position and a different situation and we came up with a game plan and we’re going to follow through on that game plan.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Grunfeld added that despite his contract situation, he has not been prohibited from making deals that would potentially add salary going forward. “We can do whatever we feel is in the best interest of the team,” he said. “Obviously, when you make any type of move, the owner has final say. But Ted has been great. We work very closely together and he’s also been transparent about what this organization is trying to do and we’re moving forward with it.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Grunfeld believed that the players had stopped listening to Saunders and he also wanted to establish a different identity for the team. “Flip is a very good basketball man. He’s a good friend. It’s always very difficult, but I felt like at that point, we needed to get a different voice and do things a little different than we’ve been doing them,” Grunfeld said. “I think we’re playing a more uptempo style, offensively and defensively. We’re pressuring the ball more. We’re taking advantage of our size and our length and our athleticism, probably a little bit better than we had earlier.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Flip Saunders 

With team president Ernie Grunfeld on the last year of his contract, speculation has resurfaced that he could be on his way out in a full-scale housecleaning. But league sources caution to consider that Grunfeld remains in the good graces of owner Ted Leonsis, who recognizes that Grunfeld's plan was seriously interrupted with the Gilbert Arenas gun incident two years ago. CBSSports.com

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Jeff Zillgitt: Wizards prez Ernie Grunfeld on his job security: "I’m not really worried about that part of it. ... I feel comfortable in what I’m doing." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has relieved Head Coach Flip Saunders of his duties. Randy Wittman will serve as the team’s head coach for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. “We felt the team had become unresponsive and we will look to Randy to provide a different voice and a change in philosophy moving forward,” said Grunfeld. “We have been transparent in how we would evaluate our team this season and we were disappointed in the lack of development of our players at this point in our rebuilding plan.” NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Flip Saunders, Randy Wittman 

Jeff Zillgitt: Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld: "In all likelihood, we won’t amnesty anybody this year." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld 

Mike Prada: Ernie Grunfeld told @1067thefandc that John Wall should have been Rookie of the Year and Blake Griffin "was a rookie last year." Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Blake Griffin, John Wall, Ernie Grunfeld 

Ernie Grunfeld, the Washington Wizards’ president of basketball operations, whose contract expires after next season, said Thursday that he has not had any negotiations with owner Ted Leonsis about a contract extension and doesn’t expect any soon. “I’m under contract. I’m not really even thinking about that at all,” Grunfeld said after his annual end-of-year news conference. “All I’m thinking about is making this team as good as possible and continue to do the plan that we have in place.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Ted Leonsis 

Mike Prada: Ernie Grunfeld on whether Jordan Crawford's play affects Nick Young's FA status one way or the other: "I don't think that affects [anything]." Twitter

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Nick Young, Jordan Crawford 

In meetings with Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld and owner Ted Leonsis, Saunders said he “feels good” about the progress the team is making at the end of the season and feels confident about the direction for next year. “Ted has very much had a game plan, having gone through this situation with the Capitals,” Saunders said. “He did understand as far as the growing pains that were going to be there. He’s never wavered as far as what our goals were this year; playing our young guys and maybe taking some hits, but getting those guys playing time and being able to evaluate our players and seeing where do they really fit in. “Are they starters, or are they guys coming off the bench? Are they guys who aren’t going to be part of who we are? Are they guys that fit as far as the character that we’re looking for to move forward?” Washington Times

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Ted Leonsis, Flip Saunders 

This doesn’t mean that Leonsis won’t make a change, because the man has the power to do whatever he pleases. And, until he directly states Grunfeld and/or Saunders are coming back, people will continue to speculate. But Leonsis has consistently sounded content with the work that they have done for him. “I’m pretty happy with where we are,” Leonsis said in his radio interview. “Flip and Ernie and me and the organization and all the people in sales and marketing, we’re all on the same page, and it feels pretty good right now.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Ernie Grunfeld, Ted Leonsis, Flip Saunders 

You'd think Leonsis would be grateful to team president Ernie Grunfeld for the found funds. Think again. When Leonsis bought out the Pollin family and became the Wizards' majority owner, I'm told he thought about changing leadership but couldn't find an appealing replacement. "Everyone likes to hire their own people and Leonsis is no different," a league source said. "And it's not as if the team's record over the last few years or all the bozos Grunfeld brought in favor him staying." Meaning, look for some of Leonsis' savings to be used to pay off Grunfeld's final year and the two remaining years owed coach Flip Saunders. New York Post

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Ted Leonsis, Flip Saunders 

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed swingman Othyus Jeffers from the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy to a 10-day contract. Jeffers (6-5, 200), a two-time D-League All-Star (2009, 2011) and the 2009 D-League Rookie of the Year, has averaged 21.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season through 38 games (18 double-doubles) with Iowa. RealGM

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Othyus Jeffers 

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Bibby's agent, David Falk, plans to meet with Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld on Monday to discuss a possible buyout. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, David Falk, Ernie Grunfeld, Mike Bibby 

The two sides have had preliminary discussions, according to two league sources, but no formal proposals have been made. Bibby makes $5.8 million this season and is on the books for $6.4 million next season. Bibby would have to sacrifice a lot of money and get waived by Tuesday in order to be eligible to join a playoff team this season. Washington Post

Washington Wizards, David Falk, Ernie Grunfeld, Mike Bibby 

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Lester Hudson. Hudson appeared in 11 games in two separate stints with Washington this season, totaling 18 points and 17 assists in 73 minutes of play. Hudson was previously signed this season on September 24, waived on November 22, and signed again on December 20. Washington’s roster (attached) currently stands at 14. NBA.com

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld, Lester Hudson 

(Arenas) says he understands why Leonsis had to trade him. ("If I didn't get in trouble, I would have been there," he says. "But I think it was just too much. And for an owner, a new owner, that's too much negativity coming in. I knew at some point he had to let me go.") He says he kept it professional with team president Ernie Grunfeld and Coach Flip Saunders, even though he didn't think the team supported him as strongly as it could have in the wake of the gun incident. But the last few weeks were difficult for everyone, as the trade rumors grew. TBD.com

Washington Wizards, Trade, Gilbert Arenas, Ernie Grunfeld, Flip Saunders 

Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld announced Monday that the team has signed point guard Lester Hudson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced. Hudson appeared in six games earlier this season for Washington, before being waived on November 22nd to make room for Alonzo Gee. RealGM

Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Ernie Grunfeld, Lester Hudson, Alonzo Gee 

With Arenas being swapped for a 6-foot-10 power forward in Lewis (who will take his physical and likely play against Charlotte on Monday), Grunfeld said that the Wizards would have to sign another point guard. The team waived Lester Hudson earlier this season to sign Alonzo Gee, but now the team is lacking ball handlers. Hinrich played all but six seconds in the Wizards' 95-94 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday. "We'll probably look to bring in someone to back him up," Grunfeld said. "Because of John's injury situation and the trade, we'll probably have to bring in somebody else. There's nothing structural [with Wall]. But until the pain subsides, we're not going to rush him back, that's for sure." Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Ernie Grunfeld