Larry Harris Fired as Milwaukee Bucks GM

Well, the earlier posts I made about Donnie Walsh certainly seem more relevant now, don't they? Larry Harris has been fired by the Milwaukee Bucks as general manager in a move that shouldn't shock anyone, unless you just assumed they would let him ride out the season until his contract expired.

The team said it accommodated Harris's recent request for an early decision on his status and, under a mutual agreement, he is being relieved of his responsibilities so that he can pursue other opportunities.

Harris's contract expires June 30, 2008.

'Larry Harris has served the Milwaukee Bucks since 1990 with complete dedication and loyalty,' Bucks president and owner U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl said in a statement. 'The commitment and effort he provided the organization has resulted in many good outcomes. I believe at this time it is in the best interest of the Bucks to proceed in another direction. Larry's professional approach has been valued and appreciated by our organization and we wish him the best in future endeavors.'

That's such a nice way to handle running the same guy that signed Dan Gadzuric out of town politely. However, the bigger issue is finding out his replacement. It is reasonably unlikely that anyone will be hired immediately, unless the Bucks have reached some sort of agreement with Donnie Walsh already. That in and of itself would not be shocking; Walsh is a hot commodity right now, and letting him sit out there as an available "free agent", or soon to be hirable executive is only going to cost the Bucks. It seems unlikely that they have already reached a deal with Bill Simmons, seeing as how he would have awkwardly stopped promoting himself already if that was the case. And, of course, he hasn't. I wonder if the Sports Gal likes New York? Your move, Mr. Dolan.