Pacers’ GM resigns; is Bird next to go?

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INDIANAPOLIS — David Morway resigned Tuesday as general manager of the Indiana Pacers amid reports that Larry Bird is on the way out, too.

Morway was hired by the Pacers in 1999 and had been GM since 2008. The Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday that Bird is expected to leave the Pacers, citing an unidentified person with direct knowledge of the situation. The Pacers and owner Herb Simon declined to comment.

On its website Tuesday night, The Star reported a news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the Pacers will announce Bird’s decision, the return of Donnie Walsh to the front office and the promotion of Kevin Pritchard from director of player personnel to general manager.

“I think change is great. I really do. New ideas, new creativity, new vision and new energy – I think all of that is important for a franchise,” Morway said.

The 55-year-old Bird was the Pacers’ coach from 1997 to 2000, taking the team to its only NBA Finals appearance that last year. He moved to the front office in 2003.

This year, Bird was the NBA Executive of the Year after building a tough, young team that lost to eventual champion Miami in six games. He is the only person in league history to win that award, the MVP award and Coach of the Year.

Bird’s status with the team had been the subject of speculation for months. He had stayed with the Pacers on a season-by-season basis, discussing whether to return with Simon each offseason.

Morway’s departure comes two days before the NBA draft, where Indiana was scheduled to pick No. 26 overall Thursday. The Pacers , well under the salary cap, are expected to be a significant player in free agency.