Instead, Mullin will remain under contract - and presumably, in the shadows - while assistant Larry Riley takes the reins and is introduced as general manager today.

"It's never an easy decision to make a change," Warriors President Robert Rowell said in a statement. "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. He's a class individual who will always be remembered for his accomplishments with the Warriors' organization."

Mullin could not be reached for comment - Riley will be available at a news conference today - but couldn't have been caught off-guard by Monday's moves, which were more a formality than anything else after a year of moving-and-shaking in the front office.

Mullin fell out of Rowell's favor following disagreements on several high-profile issues last summer - namely, the punishment for Monta Ellis' moped accident and negotiations for Baron Davis' contract extension.

Rowell then signed coach Don Nelson and swingman Stephen Jackson to huge contract extensions while letting Mullin enter a lame-duck season. Rowell then fired Mullin's right-hand man, assistant GM Pete D'Alessandro, shortly after the season began and replaced him with Riley, a longtime Nelson confidant.

Though Mullin officially remains under contract with the Warriors for the next month and half, it's believed that the team will allow him to pursue other opportunities should they arise.

Speculation persists that Mullin, a Brooklyn native, could head back to New York. Knicks President Donnie Walsh was the Pacers' president when Mullin played for Indiana. Those close to Mullin believe he's just as likely to take a year off and spend time with his family in Danville.

Either way, Mullin's rich history with Golden State will come to a close.

His career here began nearly 25 years ago, when Mullin was drafted out of St. John's with the seventh overall pick in 1985. The sweet-shooting, flat-top sporting guard spent his first 12 seasons, as well as his last, in Oakland, and played more games for the Warriors than anyone else in franchise history.

His on-court accomplishments are indisputable: two Olympic gold medals, five All-Star appearances and four All-NBA honors.

His move to the front office wasn't nearly as smooth. Mullin joined the team as a special assistant after retiring and took over Basketball operations April 22, 2004.

Among his early moves: Hiring coach Mike Montgomery away from Stanford and signing Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Derek Fisher and Adonal Foyle to large contracts.

Mullin's forte was the draft, and even there, the results are debatable. Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Anthony Randolph were clear prizes; Patrick O'Bryant and Ike Diogu big busts.

Mullin did correct nearly all his missteps, and pulled off pivotal trades for Davis, then Jackson and Al Harrington, and brought Nelson back for a run that culminated in the playoff appearance of 2006-07 - the franchise's lone postseason appearance in the last 15 years.

"It's never an easy decision to make a change. This case is compounded by the fact it involves Chris Mullin."

Robert Rowell, Warriors president