The Warriors have parted ways with Chris Mullin, their executive vice president of Basketball operations. Well, in essence.
Golden State has not fired Mullin. But the team announced Monday that assistant general manager Larry Riley has been promoted to general manager and that Mullin's contract will not be renewed, a move that was widely anticipated. When Mullin's contract expires June 30, Riley officially becomes the team's head Basketball executive.
Mullin could not be reached for comment. Rowell declined to speak with the media before today's scheduled news conference at Oracle Arena, at which Riley will be introduced as the new general manager. In a news release the Warriors sent out Monday evening, Rowell emphasized Riley's teamwork and experience.
"One of his primary strengths," Rowell said in the release, "is his ability to work with a group of people to achieve a common goal, which his wide-ranging 20-plus years of experience at the NBA level will enable him to do on a day-to-day basis. It is that type of experience and insight that will prove invaluable as we move forward."
Philosophical differences between Rowell and Mullin were a hot topic all season. The primary issues were the contract negotiations with point guard Baron Davis, the punishment of guard Monta Ellis for violating his contract by riding a scooter and then lying about it, and the firing of Mullin's right-hand man, Pete D'Alessandro, then the assistant general manager.
Rowell wanted team options and incentives on any contract extension, which prompted Davis to opt out and sign with the Clippers last summer. Mullin thought compassion was in order when punishing Ellis, but Rowell hit Ellis with a 30-game suspension.
Then, in early November, D'Alessandro was fired and replaced by Riley, who had been an assistant coach. From that point, Mullin, who entered the season without a contract extension, was figured to be on his way out.
So ends Mullin's five-year run as the Warriors' chief Basketball executive. He assumed the post April 22, 2004, after two years in the team's front office as a special assistant. Before that, he had been one of the most popular players in franchise history.
"It's never an easy decision to make a change," Rowell said in the release. "This case is compounded by the fact it involves Chris Mullin someone who has provided Bay Area fans with many great memories over the years, as both a player and executive."
