The Sixers insist the loss of Bryan Colangelo hasn’t affected their draft preparations, relays Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Colangelo resigned last week as president of basketball operations after a Twitter-related scandal involving sensitive information released through burner accounts.
The front office has tried to stick to business as usual in his absence, conducting pre-draft workouts over the past three days. Coach Brett Brown has taken over Colangelo’s responsibilities on an interim basis, and draft decisions will be made as a group effort.
“I don’t think it’s going to change much, to be honest with you,” said VP of player personnel Marc Eversley. “All of our scouts have been on staff here for the past two years. I’ve been here for the last two years. You know, we’re in a position where we feel we are going to be able … to select somebody who’s going to be able to come in and help us contribute.”
There’s more tonight from Philadelphia:
- After two days of bringing in high-profile prospects, today’s workout focused on potential second-round picks, summer leaguers and G League acquisitions, Pompey writes in a separate story. West Virginia’s Jevon Carter and Miami’s Bruce Brown highlighted the session, with Brown saying he is motivated by a stress fracture in his left foot that required surgery in February and limited his effectiveness at the combine. “I just have a chip on my shoulder that I know I can get back to where I was,” said Brown, who was viewed as a possible lottery pick before the season began. “I know teams are going to believe in me, and believe that I can do that. So it just adds a chip on the shoulder, and I’m ready to go after guys that go before me.”
- Today’s move to exercise team options on Richaun Holmes and T.J. McConnell could lead to free agency decisions next summer, Pompey notes in another piece. Both will have non-guaranteed $1.6MM salaries next season then will become unrestricted free agents if they aren’t signed to extensions. “Like I said, I want to be here,” McConnell said. “So I’m excited they picked it up. But that’s not going to change how I approach every day.”
- The Sixers are in contention for the top players on the free agent market, but Brown promises they won’t spend recklessly if they don’t get their main targets, tweets Jessica Camerato of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
LBJ not going to Philly. They would throw snowballs at him and his thin skin and rabbit ears could not handle it. LA, but clippers will be involved. He respects jerry west.
No one cares where Lebron goes, he’s not beating Golden State.
Pay heed to Dioness. He has a unique process for formulating statements.
The Sixers are fine as is. No need to get free-agents just have Fultz healthy next season and draft Lonnie.
Just add Paul George and draft well.
Okay I guess the reason they optioned Holmes & Oconnell was to save space for James. They will give them a decent contract later, James or no James. Good plan I should have figured it out.
Both are gone after this season. They have 6 draft picks and some draft n stashes. There is no reason to pay them when you’ve got cheap reserves in the wings. Carter or Carr are my picks in the 2nd to replace TJ.
Agreed on Holmes. Bolden, or one of the two euro bigs they have stashed can take over his role. Love holmes’ energy but they will need to save every dime for saric and Simmons extensions. They will probably draft TJ replacement this year, even tho he is a coach and crowd favorite.
Love TJ, what he brings, professionalism, he’s a pesky defender – a long time HS coach’s son. But I don’t see paying him 5 – 10M a season, which he may get.
One of the reasons I like Carter – he’s a senior, 2x big 12 defensive player of the year, shoots high 3%. Carr can flat out score too, not afraid to take over. In a different year they’re late 1st rounders.
Fultz is going to be a superstar. Give it two years, he’ll be an elite finisher at the rim.
I want whatever Dionis is on
Philly can draft better now without the clown in charge, surely they will do a better job. TJ is a keeper for me.
Thank God for Coach Brown.