The Philadelphia 76ers are seeking a general manager who will take a collaborative approach and help the franchise win a championship, Bob Myers said Thursday while overseeing the GM search in Camden, N.J.
The move comes after the 76ers fired Daryl Morey on Tuesday following six seasons in which the team made the playoffs five times but never advanced past the second round; the report says Philadelphia was swept by the New York Knicks this season.
Myers, who joined the organization in October after helping guide the Golden State Warriors to four championships as general manager, said the next GM must work with others to reach the best decisions. “You need good people that are in harmony,” Myers said. He added he is looking for someone who embodies character and leadership and hopes to hire a GM before the NBA draft begins June 23, though he said he will not rush the process.
The report notes Morey finished with a winning regular-season record and a playoff record that fell short of the franchise’s championship goal, and he drew criticism for trading Jared McCain, who has prospered in Oklahoma City since a February move. Managing partner Josh Harris said the organization approved that trade and called it “part of a bigger plan,” while also expressing disappointment with the team’s finish this year. “No one is more frustrated than me that we have not achieved our goals,” Harris said.
Myers said he will evaluate candidates’ views of Philadelphia’s roster and whether the current model can win, asking “Can this model work?” The team is built around Joel Embiid and Paul George and includes Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe; the report says Embiid’s availability has been a consistent issue because of injuries and that George was suspended for 25 games this season for violating the league’s drug program. “The truth is depth may be more important than it’s ever been,” Myers said.
Harris reiterated the organization’s commitment to coach Nick Nurse, calling him “our coach moving forward into next season,” and said the front office has the green light to exceed the luxury tax. Myers closed by emphasizing that championships require a collective effort: “It’s not one person that wins championships. It’s a team of people.”
