PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregonian newspaper reports on its website that the Portland Trail Blazers fired general manager Kevin Pritchard less than an hour before the start of the NBA draft.
Pritchard did not immediately respond to phone messages, and the Blazers did not comment.
According to The Oregonian report, Pritchard is still part of the group conducting Portland's draft. The Blazers have the 22nd and 34th selections.
The reported firing ends months of speculation that Pritchard had fallen out of favor with billionaire Blazers owner Paul Allen. Pritchard said last week he understood that a search firm had been hired to find his replacement but vowed to fight for his job.
Pritchard was under contract through next season.
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