Category: Philadelphia 76ers Blog

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76ers to interview Brett Brown for head coaching position

It’s been two months since the 76ers ended the season with a disappointing 34-48 record.

And while some fans are still upset about how the season played out, many are ready to move on and are looking forward to the moves the team will make over the next few months.

Monday was confirmation of just how determined the Sixers are to change their ways.

In pursuit of a coach used to battling for NBA titles, they asked for and received permission to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant Brett Brown, according to Yahoo Sports.

It is unclear when Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie will meet with Brown. The team did not did not confirm the report.

Reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Adam Aron denies being fired as Sixers CEO

After initially refusing to comment, the Sixers waited hours before denying Monday night that Adam Aron has been fired as chief executive officers.

Then around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aron gave this response on Twitter: “Just minutes ago, I got off a plane from vacation in Africa and saw press reports. Ala Mark Twain, rumors of my demise greatly exaggerated.

“I’m delighted to report that this is an immensely exciting time in my career, Moral of story: don’t go on a faraway vacation.”

Reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Blog)

Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt interests the Sixers

The 76ers are considering talking to Denver assistant Melvin Hunt about their coaching job, but they might have to fend off the Nuggets.

Denver is believed to be interested in promoting Hunt to replace George Karl, who was fired last week, league sources said Monday.

“The Sixers have not formally made contact to begin the process, but there has been some talk through the back channels,” a source said.

The Sixers have not sought permission from the Nuggets to speak with Hunt, according to the source.

Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

76ers may not pick new coach until after NBA draft

According to two sources with knowledge of the 76ers’ search for a coach, Sam Hinkie, president of basketball operations and general manager, probably won’t name a coach until after the June 27 draft.

One Houston-based source said Hinkie “will probably find a coach after the draft.” The source also said that Hinkie believes that the coach “is secondary in the process because [Hinkie] will have an idea of what type of players” the Sixers will need to select.

The Sixers have the 11th pick in the draft.

Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Sixers coaching candidate pool keeps shrinking

The pool of prospective coaches from which the 76ers look to hire their new coach was reduced again on Sunday when the Sacramento Kings selected former Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone.

The 41-year-old Malone, who replaced Keith Smart, spent the last two seasons as the top assistant to Mark Jackson. Malone is the third coach to be hired recently who was at one time or another believed to be high on the Sixers’ list.

Of course, that list was linked with Tony DiLeo, who was replaced as president of basketball operations on May 10 by new general manager Sam Hinkie.

Since Hinkie, a former executive with Houston, came on board, the Sixers have asked for permission to speak with Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson, and they have been linked to Chris Finch, also a Houston assistant.

Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

76ers coaching search going slowly

76ers coaching search

It’s been three weeks since the 76ers hired Sam Hinkie as president of basketball operations and general manager, and things have been unusually quiet for a team that has yet to hire a coach with less than one month remaining before the NBA draft.

The Sixers are one of six teams looking for a coach, the other vacancies being in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Sacramento, Detroit, and Los Angeles (the Clippers). Depending on what happens in Memphis, where former Sixers guard Lionel Hollins’ future is unknown despite his leading the Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals, that number could grow.

Coaches in whom the Sixers were believed to be interested have been hired in Cleveland (Mike Brown), Atlanta (Mike Budenholzer), and Phoenix (Jeff Hornacek). Sixers associate head coach Michael Curry, who has been endorsed by players Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, has emerged as a candidate in Milwaukee, where it was recently reported that he had an interview. Curry has yet to interview for the Sixers, who, according to sources, have yet to interview a candidate for the job.

Reported by John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Lots of chatter about upcoming Sixers decisions

They probably weren’t the main topic of conversation during the NBA predraft combine last week in the Windy City, but the 76ers’ situation certainly was at the forefront of a lot of talk. With the hiring of Sam Hinkie as president of basketball operations and general manager, more questions seemed to have come about than answers.

“Who is making the basketball decisions right now?” asked one league executive.

When told it was Hinkie, known for his analytics expertise, he replied: “Don’t they have a basketball guy helping out in some ways?”

When it was offered that Hinkie and majority owner Josh Harris were possibly relying on the expertise of Rod Thorn – though now in an advisory role – and others in the front office, another executive responded, “I don’t think they are leaning on Rod Thorn as much as they should or he wants and I heard there still might be changes to the front office.”

— Reported by Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News

NBA Draft: C.J. McCollum would like to play for 76ers

C.J. McCollum remains intrigued with the 76ers even though they didn’t request to interview him at the NBA draft combine.

“I was [attending college] pretty close to Philadelphia, out in Bethlehem,” the Lehigh senior guard said. “So I will be interested to see if they are taking a guard or a post player in this draft.”

The organization’s biggest needs are a post player and a backup point guard. However, one could argue that McCollum could be a solid addition to a team planning to make offseason moves via trades and free agency.

“I’m a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers,” McCollum said. “So it will be interesting to see what happens.”

— Reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer

NBA Draft: Big man Rudy Gobert talks with Sixers

Rudy Gobert was the biggest prospect at the NBA draft combine.

The center from France stands 7 foot 1/2 in his socks and 7-2 in his sneakers. He has an incredible 7-81/2 wingspan and massive hands.

Yet the 20-year-old is a raw talent. He needs to get stronger and polish up his post game in order to contribute in the NBA.

However, his athleticism and size are why he’s projected to be a mid-first-round pick in June’s draft. The 76ers, who are likely to get the 11th pick, interviewed Gobert here on Friday.

— Reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer