HoopsHype.com Rumors

Most front office people bring in their own personnel. But it was pretty obvious that general manager Kevin Pritchard would be elevated in the front office. How much did you know about him before this? Donnie Walsh: "I had dinner with Kevin when I first came back. I really didn't know him when I came in. Larry had already recommended him to Herb, (former general manager) David Morway was already gone, so when I walked in here, I knew he was going to be here. I've really enjoyed working with him. He's exactly the kind of guy I want to work with. I still make some calls, but he's really good at working the phones. I think sharing ideas -- he's been a general manager before -- is great. The way I see myself doing the job now, he's a perfect fit for me. I've got confidence in him. He's somebody I really enjoy talking about basketball with him." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh, David Morway 

Kevin Pritchard: As much as I like #twitter and the Internet - I still like reading the newspaper! #tradition #indystar Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Media 

Why do GMs hire their agent's other clients instead of best coaching candidate available? Peter Vecsey: We know we don't like it. It's been happening for years. It's not only Warren LeGarie and Olshey, it's Arn Tellem. That's where he started, as a workout guy. Arn Tellem has been pushing him. Warren has got a cult going or something, the way these GMs, presidents and owners listen to him. It's fascinating that he's able to get one of his clients into Portland with what went on with Kevin Pritchard. Your listeners are well aware of that. I believe I was the one who broke that story about how it happened. They ended up getting fired because the line to the owner and the owner's right hand guy, they tried to usurp Miller and maybe it's worked. Maybe that's why Miller left. I don't know Miller but maybe he left because they weren't listening to him any more. I don't know. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Miller, Warren LeGarie, Arn Tellem, Agents 

Ben Golliver: Will never forget Larry Miller trying to crack jokes on 2010 Draft night after Kevin Pritchard was fired w/ shocked staff near tears. Brutal Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Miller 

Pritchard plans to work the phones in an attempt to add another big man and scorer on the wing. Guards Brandon Roy and O.J. Mayo are two wings players the Pacers plan to pursue. Jamal Crawford could also be a possibility. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, OJ Mayo, Kevin Pritchard, Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford 

Indiana Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard kept the details vague but the team plans to be aggressive with free-agent center Roy Hibbert. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, Kevin Pritchard, Roy Hibbert 

Kevin Pritchard: Huge thanks to Larry Bird for believing long in me. He is the most interesting man in the world (country version). Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird 

Kevin Pritchard: Thanks everyone for the messages. I know how lucky I am to be in my home state and working with Donnie Walsh!! Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh 

Walsh will be in charge as president. Kevin Pritchard will be the new general manager. Pritchard said their working relationship "won't be a problem at all." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird, Herb Simon 

Mike Wells: Walsh and Pritchard will work together, but Walsh will get the final say. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird, Herb Simon 

Mike Wells: Pritchard: "Today is a great day for me. An Indiana boy growing up here and going to Pacers games when I was young." Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird, Herb Simon 

Nobody I’ve spoken to questions Pritchard’s front-office acumen or work ethic. Where Bird hated to spend hours on the phone, Pritchard is a workaholic who used to work most holidays at the Blazers facility. And his background can’t be questioned; he was surrounded at different points of his career by the likes of Gregg Popovich, Larry Brown and San Antonio general manager R.C. Buford. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird 

The nagging question that followed Pritchard out of Portland, where he was forced out by owner Paul Allen and his minions, was his personality. He rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He was viewed as being too brash, too quick to grab the credit when things went well. He also made mistakes, reportedly complaining to people around the league about his relatively paltry salary. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Paul Allen 

Ken Berger: Former president Donnie Walsh is expected to return, with Kevin Pritchard to be named GM. But some aspects of power transfer unresolved. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh 

Kevin Pritchard, the team’s current director of player personnel, will likely work with Walsh as the team’s new general manager. Bird pushed for Pritchard to become general manager, citing Pritchard’s basketball knowledge. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird 

Seemingly, it’s done, though that could be deceiving. Kevin Pritchard, meanwhile, is making trade calls for the Pacers. Apparently, Bird has unofficially installed him as general manager, succeeding universally mistrusted David Morway? New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird, David Morway 

When in Indy, Pritchard made a point to break bread as often as possible with Walsh, whom I’ve yet to hear back from. Once again, Walsh has left me hanging. So, I’m forced to take an educated guess. New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird 

Pritchard has a great eye for talent, and is a hard-working person who you could find at the practice facility on Christmas Eve or the 4th of July. But what the Pacers also have is someone who has been humbled dramatically by the last few years sitting on the bench, watching from the sidelines. Remember, Paul Allen began looking for Pritchard's replacement while KP was still on the job. Ouch. Oregonian

Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, Paul Allen 

Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard made a draft day deal for Roy in 2006 as Blazers GM, and his relationship could play a pivotal part in Indiana's recruitment of Roy, sources said. Roy trusts Pritchard, and values the fact that he brought him to Portland. Nevertheless, Roy hasn't begun the process of narrowing his list of possibilities. After Thursday's draft, more teams could express interest with him. Yahoo! Sports

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, Kevin Pritchard, Brandon Roy 

Larry Bird talked like he wants to remain as president during his season-ending press conference last month as long as his meeting with Simon went well. Bird wants Kevin Pritchard, the team’s director of player personnel, to be his new general manager. David Morway, who was the team’s general manager, hasn’t been around the team in more than two weeks. Walsh has attended some of the Pacers predraft workouts at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, according to sources. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird, David Morway