Josh Harris Gives Update on Sixers General Manager Search
It's been just over a month since the Philadelphia 76ers and Bryan Colangelo parted ways after an investigation revealed that his wife was operating secret Twitter accounts. In the interim, head coach Brett Brown has taken over the top basketball operations/general manager role while the organization searches for a long-term solution. At this point in time, it doesn't seem like they are in a rush and co-managing partner Josh Harris reiterated to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that they need to find the right person.
“I think it’s going to take a while to find the right person,” Sixers co-managing partner Josh Harris said Monday at the NBA Summer League. “I hate to keep talking about it, but we really need to find the right person who can develop the special culture. It’s very consensus-oriented.”
Pompey goes on to write that Harris and the Sixers prefer someone with previous general manager experience and that current NBA executive vice president for basketball operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, has expressed interest in the position. The Sixers could have some strong internal options for president of basketball operations as well, which is why they likely feel confident in a longer search process. Vice president of basketball operations Ned Cohen is an internal name to watch in the search.
“I think general-manager experience and a track record is a plus,” Harris said. “Obviously, we lived through a science project [by hiring Sam Hinkie, who had no GM experience]. It had its benefits, but we may not be able to get that [a former general manager].”
Some other outside candidates that Pompey mentioned include Spurs' general manager R.C. Buford and former Cavs general manager, David Griffin. Many fans were hoping Griffin would get the job before free agency, perhaps making Philadelphia a more attractive destination for LeBron James.
So far this offseason without a true president of basketball operations, the Sixers have re-signed JJ Redick and Amir Johnson, acquired Wilson Chandler from Denver and inked Nemanja Bjelica to a one-year deal. All of the acquisitions made thus far have the Sixers' future cap for the summer of 2019 in mind as they are now projected to enter next offseason with nearly $42 million in cap room.
Brandon Apter is a contributor to 97.3 ESPN and managing editor at SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @bapter23.