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Last updated on Thursday, June 28, 2012
(Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana Pacers officially announced that Larry Bird is leaving as president of basketball operations and Donnie Walsh is returning to the organization as Bird’s replacement.
Bird cited back and shoulder problems as the main reason why he is stepping down.
Walsh is back after spending four seasons with the New York Knicks, first as team president and then as a consultant.
Kevin Pritchard was named the Pacers' new general manager and will report to Walsh. Pritchard replaces David Morway, whose departure was announced on Tuesday.
The NBA Draft takes place tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Bird will be in charge of the Pacers tonight during the NBA Draft.
The Pacers currently have the 26th-overall pick in the first round. They traded their second-round pick to Toronto last March in the deal that brought Leandro Barbosa to Indiana.
The Blue-and-Gold have been rumored to be looking to move up in the first round with Portland and New Orleans being mentioned as potential trade partners.
Among the Indiana players who could be selected tonight are Purdue's Robbie Hummel, Indianapolis native Marquis Teague and IUPUI's Alex Young.
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