Struggling Raptors cut ties with GM Grunwald

TORONTO (AP) -- Glen Grunwald was fired as the Raptors' general manager Thursday with two weeks remaining in a second straight losing season in which he clashed with the coach.
Grunwald, Toronto's GM for seven seasons, was replaced on an interim basis by Jack McCloskey, a former general manager of the Detroit Pistons. Grunwald has been with the Raptors since their inception in 1994.
"I think I can help in this situation," McCloskey said. "There has been great fan support, this team has an opportunity to get better.
"We've got to make the draft picks, we've got to make the right choices on a new general manager."
He said the goal is to bring in leaders.
"We didn't make the strides that we thought we would," team president Richard Peddie said. "We're standing here with 30 wins. It's time for someone else to come up with a master plan."
Peddie said Grunwald will advise the team on the draft, and the new general manager will decide if coach Kevin O'Neill returns.
Peddie acknowledged the tension between Grunwald and O'Neill, who has a year remaining on his contract.
"There was a conflict," Peddie said. "I don't want to deny there was because you all know there was. It didn't help."