Matt Bullard’s unexpected free agency ended Tuesday with Bullard moving up but not going anywhere.
Bullard and longtime NBA executive Chris Wallace this week became the latest additions to general manager Rafael Stone’s basketball operations department, with Bullard to also work under new team president Gretchen Sheirr in a community relations role.
Bullard, 54, becomes the third former NBA player, joining Ed Pinckney and Chuck Hayes, in the Rockets’ front office, having played 11 NBA seasons, nine with the Rockets including the 1993-94 championship campaign.
“When I look at my career in basketball as a player and in broadcasting, it’s like another chapter and I’m really excited about it,” Bullard said. “I have 30 years of NBA experience so I feel like I can bring a lot to the table. I’m excited that Rafael (Stone, the Rockets’ general manager) sees that in me.
“I’ll be working on the basketball side in basketball ops but I’ll also be working on the business side for Gretchen Sheirr still doing community relations and social media stuff.”
Wallace had been the general manager for the Grizzlies for 12 seasons, succeeding Jerry West in Memphis and building much of the "Grit And Grind" teams around Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen and Mike Conley. The Grizzlies under Wallace reached the postseason in seven consecutive seasons, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
He had been the general manager with the Celtics for 10 seasons after a stint as the director of player personnel with the Heat. Wallace had been an advisor with the Grizzlies the past two seasons. He began his career in scouting positions with the Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Clippers and Knicks.
“We’re always looking for ways to grow as an organization and Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard both have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will aid in our decision-making processes,” Stone said in a statement. “Chris has decades of experience in scouting and evaluating players while Matt’s insights as a former player and as a broadcaster lends another unique voice to our internal discussions.”
The Rockets also announced the recent front office additions of Matthew Barlowe and Jake Flancer as analysts and Ross Homan and Javier Pesquera as scouts.
Though Bullard said some of his duties are to be determined, he looked forward to representing the Rockets to groups in events with season ticket holders, youth camps and charity events.
“Obviously, I’ve been with the Rockets for 27 years. I feel like I could be a good face for the organization,” Bullard said. “I tell you what; it is so fun to be back on the basketball side, talking with players. I can speak my language again.”
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