John Nash out as Blazers GM
Posted 5/31/2006 2:44 AM ET

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — John Nash will not be back as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, who finished with the worst record in the NBA this season.

The Trail Blazers released a statement late Tuesday that said Nash's contract, which is to due to expire in a month, will not be extended for next season.

Team president Steve Patterson will serve as interim general manager.

"All of us at the Trail Blazers appreciate John's effort and hard work under difficult circumstances and thank him for the enormous class he displayed throughout his time here," Patterson said.

Nash spent three seasons as general manager, a time of rapid decline for the once-proud franchise. Portland finished 21-61 this season and closed with 19 losses in their final 20 games.

"Although we shared some successes as an organization, I wish we could have made more rapid progress on the court," Nash said in the statement released by the Trail Blazers.