Grizzlies fire Bickerstaff, move GM Wallace to scouting role

The Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the team announced.

Bickerstaff conducted exit meetings with Grizzlies players earlier Thursday before his own meeting with ownership, during which he was let go, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Memphis is also reassigning general manager Chris Wallace to a scouting role.

The Grizzlies are promoting Jason Wexler to team president and Zach Kleiman to vice president of basketball operations.

Wallace met with the media earlier Thursday and told reporters that Bickerstaff would return as head coach next season, according to The Athletic's Omari Sanfoka.

Bickerstaff took over in Memphis on an interim basis following David Fizdale's firing in November 2017, and he was later awarded the permanent job after the season. He went 48-97 in two campaigns at the helm.

Prior to his time with the Grizzlies, Bickerstaff worked as an assistant with the Houston Rockets. He also served as their interim head coach during the 2015-16 season.