Tracking the 76ers’ search for a new president of basketball operations

The Philadelphia 76ers are on the clock. After parting methods with Daryl Morey, the franchise has tasked Bob Myers — President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — with working basketball operations in the interim whereas main the search for a new President of Basketball Operations. Myers has set a (delicate) goal of having somebody in place earlier than the NBA Draft on June 23. Below is a working listing of names which were reported in reference to the job, up to date as new info surfaces.

Vince Rozman, VP of Identification & Intelligence, OKC Thunder

Rozman spent 16 years with the Sixers, becoming a member of the group underneath Sam Hinkie in 2013 and dealing his approach up by varied roles in basketball operations. He was closely concerned in draft preparation and was credited by each Hinkie and Morey as a key behind-the-scenes contributor. In 2022 he left Philadelphia to hitch Sam Presti’s employees in Oklahoma City, the place he now oversees the Thunder’s draft analysis and technique — one of the most revered draft operations in the league. His deep familiarity with each the Sixers group and the gold commonplace of fashionable entrance workplace constructing makes him one of the most intriguing names on this search.

Elton Brand, GM, Philadelphia 76ers

Brand has been tied to the Sixers group since his enjoying days, ultimately transitioning into entrance workplace work and ascending to GM in 2018. He led the teaching search that landed Doc Rivers earlier than stepping again from lead decision-making duties when Morey arrived. Rather than strolling away, Brand stayed on as Morey’s prime lieutenant for the entirety of his tenure. He was a candidate for the Hawks’ lead govt function final 12 months earlier than withdrawing from the search, suggesting there may be exterior curiosity in his talents.

Neil Olshey, Sixers Consultant

Marc Stein has reported this week that Neil Olshey, who has served as a Sixers guide for the previous three seasons, “is not pursuing the job and won’t be part of this Myers-led search” for a new President of Basketball Operations in Philly. Stein added that his sources say Olshey might stay with the group in an advisory function, although.

Olshey has one of the most embellished resumes on this search, having served as GM of the Clippers throughout their Lob City period earlier than taking up as GM of the Trail Blazers, the place he drafted Damian Lillard and constructed one of the most constant playoff groups of the final decade. He was fired in 2021 following an investigation into a hostile work setting, which stays a reliable concern for any group contemplating him. He has been a Sixers guide since 2023 and is taken into account to have a shut relationship with Myers, who is probably going what retains his identify in the dialog.

Travis Schlenk, SVP of Player Personnel, Washington Wizards

Schlenk is one of the most skilled names on this listing, having spent 13 years with the Warriors the place he served as assistant GM to Myers and performed a important function in constructing their dynasty, together with being credited with figuring out Draymond Green in the second spherical of the 2012 draft. He has parlayed that into the prime job with the Hawks, serving as GM and President of Basketball Operations for 5 seasons and main Atlanta to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. He has joined the Wizards in 2023 in a participant personnel function. Like a number of others on this listing, his Warriors connection to Myers is probably going a key purpose his identify has surfaced right here.

Onsi Saleh, GM, Atlanta Hawks

Stein reported Tuesday that the Sixers have conceded Saleh won’t be accessible to them. Barring a important change, it’s protected to contemplate his identify off the board.

Saleh is extensively thought to be one of the brightest younger executives in the league. Before changing into the Hawks GM he spent three seasons working straight underneath Myers with the Warriors, giving him a direct connection to the man working Philadelphia’s search. He completed second in Executive of the Year voting in his first season working Atlanta, a testomony to how rapidly he has established himself and turned issues round for Atlanta. He is taken into account a longshot on condition that the Hawks are unlikely to grant permission for an interview, however the incontrovertible fact that Myers desires to discover it speaks to how extremely he’s regarded.

Tim Connelly, President of Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves

Connelly has constructed two totally different franchises into contenders, assembling the core of Denver’s 2023 championship group earlier than departing for Minnesota, the place he put collectively back-to-back Western Conference Finals rosters. His contract with the Timberwolves is about to run out quickly, which has put his identify in play throughout a number of searches this offseason. Dallas tried and did not land him earlier this summer time, and Minnesota is anticipated to retain him, making him a longshot. But his monitor document (and blockbuster offers) communicate for itself.

Mike Gansey, GM, Cleveland Cavaliers

Gansey has spent his complete profession climbing the ladder inside the Cavaliers group, beginning as a seasonal assistant in 2011 and dealing his approach as much as GM in 2022. Along the approach he gained G League Executive of the Year in 2017 and has been a key half of constructing a Cleveland group that’s presently in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. His identify additionally surfaced in the Bulls’ search this offseason, underlining the respect he has earned round the league as one of the greatest younger executives in the sport.

Nick U’Ren, GM, Phoenix Mercury

U’Ren spent practically a decade with the Warriors, working underneath Myers as a particular assistant and superior scout earlier than departing in 2023 to develop into GM of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. In his first two seasons he turned an getting old roster into a WNBA Finals contender, exhibiting the type of roster-building instincts that made him a identify to look at. His direct connection to Myers is evident, and the query surrounding him is just whether or not he is able to make the leap to the prime job at the NBA stage after such a profitable turnaround in the WNBA.

Trent Redden, GM, Los Angeles Clippers

Redden spent 12 years with the Cavaliers, rising from a scout to assistant GM and VP of basketball operations, earlier than becoming a member of the Clippers as assistant GM in 2017. He was promoted to GM in 2023 following Michael Winger’s departure to Washington and has rapidly earned a status as one of the sharper expertise evaluators in the league. He has no direct Warriors connection to Myers, making him a bit of an outlier on this listing in comparison with a number of different candidates.

Matt Lloyd, GM, Minnesota Timberwolves

Lloyd acquired his begin in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls again in 1994, starting as a game-day worker earlier than rising to director of school scouting underneath the late Jerry Krause. He later spent a decade with the Orlando Magic earlier than becoming a member of Tim Connelly’s employees in Minnesota, the place he was promoted to GM in 2024. He was a finalist for the Bulls’ lead govt job this offseason earlier than Chicago employed Bryson Graham, and he has been considered round the league as a top-of-the-line GM candidate for a while. His connection to Connelly makes him an fascinating identify given Connelly’s personal ties to this search.

Honorable Mention — Jameer Nelson, Assistant GM, Philadelphia 76ers

Nelson is just not thought of a candidate for the prime job itself, however Stein famous there was chatter all season about an expanded function for him regardless of who’s employed. Nelson is held in excessive regard inside the group and has been described as a rising candidate to run his personal group sometime.