The Blazers have fired Tom Penn, according to a press release delivered by the teams. News of the firing was initially reported by the Oregonian.

Penn's dismissal comes nearly 10 months after Penn was promoted to vice president of basketball operations.

"We felt it was in the organization's best interest to move in a different direction at this time," Larry Miller said. "This was not an easy decision, as Tom has played an integral role for us the past three seasons. We thank him for his contributions and wish him the best in the future."

Before joining the Trail Blazers, Penn served as assistant general manager/legal counsel of the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies.

Penn was pursued heavily last year for the general manager position with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but turned down the job following his promotion from the Blazers.

His expertise with league rules and the salary cap allowed the Blazers to gain a trade exception in the 2007 NBA draft, which allowed them to make a trade with Phoenix for the rights to Rudy Fernandez.

Around the league he is widely regarded as a salary cap expert.

Update: Citing sources, Wendell Maxey reports that Penn is believed to have been in talks for the Clippers job.

According to a source that spoke with Columbian, there had been rumblings in recent weeks within the organization that Penn's job was at stake. The primary reason was that Penn had a tendency to rub many of those he worked with the wrong way, the source said, and was seen as being a "ladder climber."

Via Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers

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