Wizards dismiss GM Tommy Sheppard following 5th straight losing season
WASHINGTON, DC (7News) — The Washington Wizards and General Manager Tommy Sheppard have parted ways, the team confirmed to 7News.
The team issued a statement late Wednesday saying the team relieved Sheppard of his duties as general manager and president of the team.
Monumental Sports and Entertainment Chairman Ted Leonsis saying, "Failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons was very disappointing to our organization and our fans.
Sheppard has been with the organization since 2003 and was promoted to senior vice president of basketball operations in 2013. Sheppard took over the GM role after taking over for his former boss, Ernie Grunfeld, who was fired in 2019.
In the four seasons with Sheppard as general manager, the Wizards only managed a 129-179 record, making the playoffs just once in 2021. This season the Wizards went 35-47.
Leonsis said that a search for a new executive from outside the organization will begin immediately.
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As for the head coach and staff, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports coach Wes Unseld Jr., whom Sheppard hired in 2021, will return next season.
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Unseld Jr. has coached the team the last two seasons.
