Indiana Pacers changes: Bird, Morway out, Pritchard promoted, Walsh returns - Indianapolis Star

The first domino in the Indiana Pacers’ front office shake-up occurred Tuesday when David Morway’s resignation as general manager became official.

The next set of dominoes will fall today.

A news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the Pacers will announce that Larry Bird is stepping down as president, as The Indianapolis Star reported exclusively Tuesday, Donnie Walsh is returning to the front office and Kevin Pritchard will move from director of player personnel to general manager.

Bird, who had complete control of basketball operations since 2008 but has suffered from back and shoulder problems, met with team owner Herb Simon on Tuesday.

A source told The Star on Monday that Bird is “100 percent sure” he is not returning as president.

It’s uncertain if Bird, who is 55, will stay on through Thursday’s NBA draft. He attended Tuesday’s private workout that included Draymond Green (Michigan State), Will Barton (Memphis), Kim English (Missouri) and Jeff Taylor (Vanderbilt) at the fieldhouse.

Simon has always said Bird could stay with the franchise as long as he wanted.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert declined comment when reached by phone. “I’m not commenting on LB until I hear it from his mouth,” Hibbert wrote on his Twitter page.

It’s still unclear what Walsh’s role will be in the front office. Walsh, 71, spent 24 years with the Pacers before heading to the New York Knicks to become president of basketball operations in 2008. Walsh resigned a year ago.

Morway’s departure isn’t surprising.

Bird lost faith in Morway in training camp last season after a deal with Memphis fell apart. From then on, Bird distanced himself from Morway, who had been with the franchise for 13 years, the last four as general manager. Previously, Morway had worked for the San Diego Padres and was also president of a sports management firm.

Morway hadn’t been around the Pacers since attending the predraft camp in Chicago late last month.

“For the past year, I have carefully and thoughtfully considered my personal, family and professional goals,” Morway said in a statement released by the team. “After discussing all of these issues with our owner Herb Simon and Larry, I believe this is the right time to step away.

“I want to thank Mr. Simon, Larry, Donnie Walsh and Jim Morris (president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment) for the opportunity they gave me and the friendship and mentorship they provided.”

Bird has pushed for Pritchard, who was hired last summer, to become the team’s general manager for quite some time.

Pritchard did more than most directors of team personnel. Bird had the final say in all decisions, but Pritchard played a part in the Pacers signing veteran forward David West during free agency and acquiring Leandro Barbosa at the trade deadline in March.

Etc.

Former Pike High School standout Marquis Teague (Kentucky) and Darius Johnson-Odom (Marquette) are scheduled to work out for the Pacers today at the fieldhouse.

Call Star reporter Mike Wells at (317) 444-6053.