The Sixers will seek the company of multiple big-name front office executives.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ season ended in disappointment, and it didn’t take long for promises of change within the organization. Elton Brand remains in charge, but there is an expectation that other high-ranking officials will soon depart. Alex Rucker has been singled out in that regard.
Recent reports, however, seem to indicate Brand may not maintain full control. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers are expected to inquire about Daryl Morey and Kevin Pritchard, who currently run the Rockets and Pacers, respectively.
The Sixers’ willingness to consider a president of basketball operations to work above Brand is promising. It is at least some sign that ownership sees a problem. Whether or not ownership eventually fixes that problem is yet to be seen — the Sixers have not officially fired anyone — but Brand has done little to deserve full power.
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Also interested, according to Pompey, is Portland’s Neil Olshey. With that said, he would want full organizational control, and it seems abundantly clear that Philadelphia still believes in Brand to some degree. It seems unlikely that ownership would shelve him entirely.
Other names mentioned are Bob Myers — who has no interest in leaving Golden State — and former Hawks GM Danny Ferry. It is, of course, worth mentioning that Rockets ownership has already guaranteed the safety of Morey’s job in Houston, and the Pacers are in no particular hurry to rid themselves of Pritchard.
If the Sixers can get someone like Morey or Pritchard, it should be a no-brainer. Morey is one of the most innovative and successful GMs in recent basketball history, and while his personal tastes differ from Philadelphia’s current roster construction, one would expect him to adapt. He would not erroneously trade Joel Embiid, for example.
Pritchard is equally well respected and has done a tremendous job keeping Indiana competitive in lieu of Paul George’s trade request a few years back. The Sixers’ failed collaboration in recent years has left them without a clear direction. Philadelphia would undoubtedly benefit from giving power to someone who understands the functions of a successful front office.
In the end, it’s best to keep expectations low. Morey and Pritchard are sitting comfortably in their current jobs and are unlikely to want change. The Sixers, with a stuffed cap sheet and minimal optionality in the near future, do not have the most appealing job on the market. Especially if ownership is determined to keep Brand and others in positions of power.
Masai Ujiri has not yet discussed a contract extension with the Toronto Raptors. In due time, perhaps he is someone the Sixers can siphon away from a division rival. That seems more feasible than Morey or Pritchard, frankly.