76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris said that the franchise's GM search is "identifying new targets to meet and interview," but he did not "rule out leaving the interim structure in place" for this season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Harris said, "We prefer to find an elite talent who can lead us, but we aren't going to compromise." Since the dismissal of former President of Basketball Operations & GM Bryan Colangelo in June, 76ers coach Brett Brown has "served as the franchise's interim GM" surrounded with front-office execs Assistant GM Ned Cohen, Senior VP/Player Personnel Marc Eversley and 76ers VP/Basketball Operations & G League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats GM Elton Brand, who were promoted into "expanded roles and new titles." The team has "inquired about several top front-office executives," but rival owners "seldom have interest in allowing those kinds of individuals permission to exit contracts -- even if that GM had interest" in the 76ers opening (ESPN.com, 8/27).
NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION: NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com's Paul Hudrick noted while Harris is "comfortable with the current power structure heading into the season, it's not something he wants to run with forever." Brown is a "coach first and foremost and Harris would like to keep it that way long term." The "most interesting" of the recently promoted execs "may be Cohen," who has spent 12 years working in the league. In his previous role as Associate VP/Basketball Operations, Cohen "developed relationships with the front offices of NBA teams," which makes him an "attractive candidate" (NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com, 8/27).
ALL THE KING'S MEN: In Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes writes under the header, "Sixers Wisely Leave Brett Brown In Power." Harris "needs someone he can trust to shepherd the NBA team he so often ignores in favor of his NHL toy," the Devils, and the soccer team that "gives him international panache," EPL club Crystal Palace. Brown now has "complete control of a franchise whose three most significant players," C Joel Embiid and Gs Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, "promise to be mini-corporations, brand names of the game, and power brokers of the highest degree." Brown will not "rule without the help of lieutenants," as he will "continue to collaborate" with members of Colangelo's staff, including Cohen, Eversley, Brand and Senior VP/Analytics & Strategy Alex Rucker (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/28).
