Despite the Twitter affair with now-departed President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo, the 76ers "still enjoy one of the brightest futures of any NBA team," and the front office vacancy that is "now officially open will become the league’s most in-demand job," according to David Murphy of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris said, "It doesn't change where we are as a franchise. ... But we would have preferred if this didn't happen" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/8). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said, “I don’t know if there will be fallout from Colangelo and if anybody will hold it against the 76ers." ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “I don’t think it’s going to have that much effect in the near term" (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/7). SI.com's Rohan Nadkarni wrote the situation "isn’t too terrible for the 76ers." They can "hire a better GM than Colangelo, and talented people around the league will be clawing at the chance" to have G Ben Simmons and C Joel Embiid (SI.com, 6/7). Also in Philadelphia, Danny Pommells wrote the situation "gives the front office a chance to recalibrate." It was "awkward the way Colangelo arrived" and former GM Sam Hinkie exited. Although Colangelo "had the chops for the position and his father, Jerry, recused himself from the search, it still reeked of nepotism" (NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com, 6/7).
MOVE QUICKLY...: ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton wrote under the header, "Philly's Front Office Is On The Clock With Huge Stakes." With nine of 12 players under contract for '18-19 "either on their rookie deals or making the minimum salary for their experience level, there aren't many bad contracts for the team to shed." Whoever "ends up in charge must be prepared to get started immediately." Big decisions "are coming for Philadelphia, and they're coming soon -- whether the Sixers' front office is ready or not" (ESPN.com, 6/7). NBA TV's Brent Barry said by removing Colangelo, the 76ers "can press on with the business at hand" ("NBA Gametime," NBA TV, 6/7). Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw said the 76ers have "about two weeks to start repairing whatever damage has been done, not just with players but they've got to resolve things with agents, they've got to have people who trust them not just for the draft but free agency" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 6/7).
...BUT NOT TOO QUICKLY: SI.com's Jake Fischer wrote if the 76ers "steadfastly move to fill Colangelo's void, they may very likely find themselves right back where they started, licking the wounds that were only opened by hasty and poor decision making." Ownership "would be best served patiently undergoing a thorough, yes, process that they once utilized to hire Hinkie, and he subsequently parlayed into hiring Brown" (SI.com, 6/7). ESPN.com's Royce Young as part of a roundtable wrote a month in the NBA is "an eternity, and by the time free agency rolls around, a new regime might be in place and things will be chugging forward." Any player considering the 76ers in free agency prior to Colangelo's situation "probably won't be that affected by it, especially since he's now gone." There "may be some questions about a new direction, but any player thinking about joining the Sixers was going to do so because" of Brown and the "potential of playing" with Simmons and Embiid, not Colangelo. ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony added, "The Sixers have a lot to sell right now, starting with their cap room, roster, fan base and the esteem people have for Brett Brown. I don't think this changes anything" (ESPN.com, 6/7).
PLAYING THE NAME GAME: ESPN’s Max Kellerman said, “They now have a chance to bring in a better GM right at the moment where they’ve got money to spend, free agents available and these incredible two young players on the squad. This could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise" (“First Take,” ESPN, 6/8). THE RINGER's Kevin O'Connor wrote 76ers VP/Player Personnel Marc Eversley and VP/Basketball Operations & Chief of Staff Ned Cohen are "two internal candidates that could draw consideration for the role of GM, though the expectation is that ownership will take a long, hard look at external candidates." Sources said that Celtics Assistant GM & Team Counsel Mike Zarren is a "top candidate," while former Cavaliers GM David Griffin is "expected to be interviewed." Another name that has "been floated" is NBA Exec VP/Basketball Operations Kiki VanDeWeghe (THERINGER.com, 6/7).
GRIFFIN'S DOOR? YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Mannix wrote, "Is this bad for Philadelphia? Yes. Is it fixable? Yes, and easily, if the Sixers do one thing: hire David Griffin." Hinkie "painstakingly pieced together this roster, but Griffin is the one to lead it now." Griffin would "immediately restore credibility to the front office at a critical time for the franchise" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/7). The INQUIRER's Todd writes under the header, "David Griffin, Other Candidates Who May Take Over As Sixers GM" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/8). ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith: “What I want to hear is two names, David Griffin, who should have never lost his job and Dan Gilbert should have never let that man go. That's one name, but there's an even bigger name. His name is Joe Dumars (“First Take,” ESPN, 6/8).
