Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers announced Tuesday that head coach Mike Dunleavy is taking on the added role of general manager, replacing vice president of basketball operations, Elgin Baylor.

There are conflicting reasons for Baylor's departure. Dunleavy told the Los Angeles Times that the team informed him Baylor was retiring, but Baylor told the newspaper there is a dispute with the team and on the advice of his attorney, he wouldn't discuss the move.

"We greatly appreciate Elgin's efforts during his time with the Clippers, and we wish him the very best," Clippers owner and chairman of the board Donald Sterling said in a statement.

The 74-year-old Baylor orchestrated some big moves for the Clippers in the offseason. Baron Davis was signed to a five-year, $65 million deal, and while the team lost the services of power forward Elton Brand, they did acquire veteran center Marcus Camby from Denver.

An 11-time All-Star, Baylor joined the Clippers in 1986 as VP of basketball operations after a stellar 14-year playing career with the Lakers and a brief coaching stint with the New Orleans Jazz. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.

Dunleavy, entering his sixth year as Clippers coach, suffered through one of his worst seasons as an NBA head man, guiding the team to a 23-59 mark in 2007-08. He's manned dual roles before, as he was VP of basketball operations and head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 1992-93 through 1995-96.

"I really appreciate the trust that the organization has placed in me," said Dunleavy. "We're ready and excited to move forward, and we think we'll have a team which can be dynamic and exciting, certainly one with enough talent to be a force in the Western Conference."

The Clippers also announced current director of player personnel, Neil Olshey, will be elevated to the post of assistant general manager.

Photo Copyright Getty Images

powered by