MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Jerry West thinks he has helped Memphis owner Michael Heisley find the right men to turn the Grizzlies back into winners.

West introduced his replacement Monday, showing off the Boston Celtics’ Chris Wallace as the Grizzlies’ new general manager and vice president of basketball operations Monday.

On paper, the move slides the general manager of the team that had the NBA’s second-worst record this season, at 24-58, to the league’s worst team. Memphis went 20-60 after reaching the playoffs the three previous seasons.

West knows people wondered why the Grizzlies took their time hiring a general manager. He announced in April he wouldn’t return, and they hired Marc Iavaroni as the new coach first on May 31.

“Mike Heisley wanted to make sure we got the right person, and we think we have,” said West, who insisted he will be retired once his contract expires June 30. “We have a number of days now with our new coach to try to shape the future of this franchise. We think they’re in capable hands.”

Wallace started his new job Monday after 10 years as general manager of the Boston Celtics, and West said he has the utmost confidence and respect for Wallace. West will advise and consult with Wallace over a two-week transition to finish out his contract.

“I don’t want to be seen. I don’t want to be heard. I want to disappear. From now on, any imprint of this franchise is going to come from these two people, not me,” West said.

Wallace’s tenure in Boston ended with the Celtics’ second-worst season in franchise history. But he pointed out he worked with then-coach Jim O’Brien in taking that franchise to the Eastern Conference finals in 2002 within 16 months. That was the first of four straight playoff berths through 2005.

He said he likes the potential in the young Grizzlies.

“This is a team that can make a quick turnaround and be back in contention for the playoffs overnight,” Wallace said.

Wallace promised he will work well with Iavaroni, who had input on the owner’s selection of the new general manager. He praised the hiring of Iavaroni based on the new coach’s experience as a player for Billy Cunningham and as an assistant coach working with offensive-minded Mike D’Antoni of Phoenix and Pat Riley with his defensive background.

“He is going to be a terrific coach. I’m so excited to be able to work with him,” Wallace said.

The hiring allows Wallace to be on hand for the NBA Draft on June 28 when the Grizzlies select fourth. Memphis had the biggest chance at the top pick overall but fell in the NBA lottery last month to their lowest possible selection.

But Boston picks fifth, so Wallace has been studying the same players prepping for the draft.

Heisley had interviewed David Griffin, Kiki Vandeweghe, John Nash and even former NBA point guard and current TV analyst Mark Johnson for the general manager job. But Griffin, who worked with Iavaroni in Phoenix, withdrew his name to stay with the Suns.

Heisley had the team up for sale and thought he had a deal done with former Duke teammates and now business partners Brian Davis and Christian Laettner. But Wallace said he will be very comfortable working with Heisley.

“I think this man is very committed and passionate about the Memphis Grizzlies and putting a winning team on the floor,” Wallace said.

Wallace had a year left on his contract with the Celtics. He has also worked as director of player personnel for the Miami Heat, including the 1996-97 season when the Heat won a team record 61 games.

A native of West Virginia, Wallace also has worked for Portland, Denver, Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks. He was a draft consultant for the United States Basketball League, and he also founded Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook in 1981.

AP-ES-06-18-07 1958EDT