Raptors fire GM Grunwald

Grunwald, who has been with the club since 1997, will be replaced on an interim basis by former Detroit Pistons GM and Raptors consultant Jack McCloskey.

"The board of directors made a very difficult decision," Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. president and CEO Richard Peddie said. "We feel it’s time for a fresh new perspective to take us to the next level."

The struggling Raptors (30-44) have lost five straight games and 19 of their last 25 overall, including Wednesday’s seven-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, who had been drubbed by the Philadelphia 76ers the night before.

With just eight games remaining in its season, Toronto is currently 1 1/2 games behind the Sixers for 10th place in the Eastern Conference and 3 1/2 games adrift of Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Grunwald was hired 10 games into the 1997-98 campaign when the team was 1-9. Toronto finished 16-66 that season, but would later make the playoffs in three straight years from 2000-02.

"Glen assumed the general manager’s duties at the lowest point in franchise history, and in less than two years built a legitimate playoff team and established Toronto’s credibility throughout the NBA," Peddie said.

However, an injury-plagued 2002-03 season under Lenny Wilkens led to a 24-58 record and an offseason coaching change.

In June, Grunwald hired first-time head coach Kevin O’Neill.