Philadelphia 76ers: The head coaching search is an absolute mess

The Philadelphia 76ers cannot figure out how to run an organization, to the surprise of nobody.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ search for a new head coach has raised more than a few question marks since its inception. While Elton Brand is supposedly running the show, why have no changes been made to the front office? And why are we down to two frontrunners despite no changes being made to the front office?

Those questions are impossible to answer with any degree of certainty, but the Sixers’ longstanding narrative of incompetence is impossible to ignore. A new report from Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice casts a properly unnerving light on Philadelphia’s lead decision-makers.

"“However, there is widespread confusion about what the Sixers are doing and what the future holds. Elton Brand has been the leader and representative for the franchise during the search, but it remains unclear (even to league sources connected to the search) whether he’ll continue to be the head honcho or whether the coaching search can be finished without a definitive plan for the front office. Many around the league are skeptical ownership would relinquish increased power to a President of Basketball Operations, and hiring one in the first place would likely require putting the coaching search on hold to allow that person to come in and hire their preferred candidate.”"

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It appears, in quintessential Sixers fashion, that ownership and the front office are flying blind. Brand is running the show, but his future is uncertain. Changes have still not been made on the periphery, and if the Sixers do decide to hire someone above Brand, then the coaching search could change directions entirely.

This does not make the Sixers appealing to potential front office candidates. Why would an executive with a bright future and multiple options choose Philadelphia if the team is already knee-deep in a coaching search without him? The Sixers are in financial gridlock and have a spotty record when it comes to handing control over to executives. Why would Daryl Morey or Kevin Pritchard want anything to do with them?

This could also distance the Sixers from potential head coaching candidates. While all indications are that Mike D’Antoni and Ty Lue are in a two-horse race, it’s not clear if the Sixers will hire a head coach before or after changes are made to the front office. If a decision is made beforehand, you likely lose leverage with potential executives. If the Sixers hire someone above Brand, then it’s uncertain whether D’Antoni or Lue would remain frontrunners. I’m sure both would like to know who they’re working for, either way.

Both D’Antoni and Lue have been tied to other high-profile jobs. There is undeniable appeal in coaching Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but that appeal only stretches so far when you have to deal with a disfigured supporting cast and a front office that no one can get a proper read on.

Both candidates will happily go elsewhere if the Sixers can’t make up their minds. In Neubeck’s words:

"While the coaching search by all accounts appears to be shrinking, there’s a lot of uncertainty about what happens if and when that’s over."

On top of a blatantly haphazard coaching search and uncomfortably vague plans for the future, the Sixers also have to deal with Elton Brand’s inquiry about a new contract. Per Neubeck, Brand wants a three to four-year extension.

If the Sixers want my advice, you laugh him out of the room, fire the entire front office, and spend the big bucks to lure a smart, innovative mind in the Daryl Morey, Sachin Gupta vein. The Sixers have apparently committed to not firing Brand, but by that same token, they are also considering placing someone above him. You would hope something of that nature would happen soon, as the NBA Draft is less than two months away.

Brand deserves credit for the Jimmy Butler trade, but he also deserves credit for squandering the opportunity to bring him back. Brand has put pen to paper on two of the worst contracts in basketball, and he has overseen Philadelphia’s descent from borderline title contention to a first-round sweep in a span of two years.

He does not deserve a job, much less an extension.

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We will see how things shake out over the next few weeks. Philadelphia needs to get its ship in order. Indecision does not breed success, and frankly, it’s past time for the Sixers to make the not-so-difficult decisions. Change is infinitely better than whatever this status quo is.