Sixers being aggressive in their GM search

By Christopher Kline | Jul 17, 2018

HOUSTON, TX - June 1: Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey is interviewed as the Rockets announce D'Antoni as their new head coach on June 1, 2016 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers are going after some big names in their general manager search.

As free agency wraps up, it’s time for the Philadelphia 76ers to focus on completing their front office. Brett Brown has filled in admirably after the Bryan Colangelo firing, but keeping the coach in that position full-time isn’t always ideal.

After Colangelo walked into the job following Sam Hinkie’s departure, it will be an interesting change of pace to see how the Sixers go about finding their next lead decision-maker. Hinkie was pushed out unfairly, and the process leading up to Colangelo’s hiring was swift (and, arguably, unfair).

Now that the latter has departed due to unflattering revelations regarding his social media activity, the Sixers will get to start fresh with new leadership and a young team that’s ready to compete.

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According to many reports, the Sixers have already pursued some of the biggest names available. Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, has expressed interest, while Spurs GM R.C. Buford has been mentioned as a potential target.

VanDeWeghe has been a prominent figure in the NBA for years now, spending time in the coaching and front office ranks. He played an instrumental role in developing Dirk Nowitzki as a Mavericks assistant and was the Nuggets’ GM when Carmelo Anthony was drafted.

While many would advocate against VanDeWeghe, his resume is bound to earn consideration from Sixers ownership. In the words of Josh Harris, the Sixers prefer candidates with prior GM experience. VanDeWeghe fits that criteria and then some.

Buford lies toward the top of the list when it comes for preferred candidates. He has played a big role, alongside Gregg Popovich, in sculpting the Spurs’ culture and keeping that organization among the best teams in the NBA. He has been with San Antonio in some capacity for 30 years.

Brett Brown also has ties to Buford from his days as a Popovich assistant, so there’s some level of familiarity there. With Kawhi Leonard on the way out and the Spurs’ dynasty on its last legs, Philly could be an attractive spot for Buford.

Perhaps the most interesting development in the Sixers’ GM search, however, was their reported desire to pry Daryl Morey away from Houston. That is a juicy storyline for numerous reasons.

Morey spurned the Sixers, and for good reason. Even though the Warriors are heavy favorites in the West, the Rockets proved themselves to be legitimate contenders last season. If James Harden and Chris Paul are healthy, Houston can easily make another run at the Finals.

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The reigning Executive of the Year, Morey would be a huge get for the Sixers. He’s one of the smartest basketball minds on the planet, embracing analytics and setting up the Rockets’ roster in a way that compliments Mike D’Antoni‘s unique offensive system.

In Philadelphia, he’d have two young building blocks in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, as well as numerous assets to work into trades or develop long term. If there was any place that could get Morey to think about leaving Houston, it’s Philadelphia.

With that said, it’s also worth noting that Morey was Sam Hinkie’s mentor. Hinkie was working under Morey in Houston when the Sixers hired him, meaning Morey holds many of the same basketball philosophies as the man who started The Process.

Hiring Morey wouldn’t be an admittance of wrongdoing by Sixers ownership — Morey’s resume stands alone, regardless of his ties to Hinkie — but it would signal a drastic shift in perspective compared to the Colangelo era. A renewed willingness to take an unconventional, and historically successful, approach to management.

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As the Sixers’ GM search heats up, more names are bound to surface. There isn’t a more attractive job opening on the market, which means current, former and prospective GMs will all be interested.