Larry Bird is leaving role as Team President for the Indiana Pacers

First reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Larry Bird has decided to step down from his role as Team President for the Indiana Pacers.

This season did not end the way the Pacers had hoped — an unceremonious sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. To be fair, the rest of the season didn’t really go according to plan either — a 42-40 record and a negative point differential. To close the door on this frustrating campaign, Larry Bird will reportedly leave his primary role with the team.

Kevin Pritchard has been with the team since the summer of 2011 as their Director of Player Personnel. Prior to that he spent three years as the General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers. The reporting from Wojnarowski indicates that Bird is not leaving the team completely, instead stepping into a consulting role. Although he is also apparently someone the Orlando Magic will look to contact as they try to rebuild their own front office.

Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star has reported that Bird’s decision is not related to health concerns and that he will speak with the media on Monday.

The Pacers made some big moves last summer, trading George Hill and a first round draft pick, acquiring Jeff Teague, Thad Young, and signing Al Jefferson and several other free agent veterans. While the moves added talent they didn’t necessarily address fit and the team was hampered by a weakened defense and, at times, a lack of spacing on offense.

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Paul George, who was clearly frustrated with the team’s lack of success, was part of numerous rumors around the trade deadline. There have been rumblings for some time that he might like to play for his hometown Lakers and he could be a free agent at the end of next season. Convincing George that the Pacers are on the right track is essential this summer and perhaps Bird thought him stepping aside might allow the team to move in a different direction.