Full Breakdown
Philadelphia 76ers Launch Search for New President of Basketball Operations
5/19/2026, 1:49:11 AM
Official Statements & Search Timeline
Bob Myers, the Sixers’ President of Sports, told reporters that the organization aims to install a new lead executive before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23. He emphasized his hands-on role, saying he will be involved in “high-level decision-making… at the draft, leading up to the trade deadline, free-agency discussions” and will communicate “daily if not five out of seven days a week” with the eventual hire. The team has not yet begun formal interviews, and Myers confirmed that the search will be conducted while he continues to oversee day-to-day basketball operations.
Candidate Landscape
The emerging pool includes:
- Neil Olshey – former Portland Trail Blazers president, now a Sixers consultant.
- Onsi Saleh – Atlanta Hawks GM who previously worked under Myers at Golden State; widely discussed but deemed unlikely to leave Atlanta.
- Nick U’ren – current Phoenix Mercury GM, former Warriors advanced-scouting director under Myers.
- Mike Gansey – Cleveland Cavaliers GM with a track record from the G-League to the NBA front office.
- Vince Rozman – former Sixers assistant GM, now Oklahoma City Thunder VP of Identification and Intelligence.
- Jameer Nelson – former assistant GM of the Delaware Blue Coats, promoted to Sixers assistant GM in May 2025.
These names were highlighted by NBA insider Marc Stein and reported by multiple outlets, reflecting a mix of external talent and internal familiarity.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts caution that Myers’ deep involvement could deter senior candidates who prefer autonomous authority, as noted by SI’s assessment of “potentially troublesome” dynamics for executives like Dennis Lindsey or James Jones. The feasibility of poaching Saleh also faces pushback: Stein reported that “the likelihood… is that Saleh is expected to remain with the Hawks,” citing the Hawks’ strong draft capital, cap flexibility, and recent Executive-of-the-Year voting. Furthermore, critics point to the Sixers’ recent roster construction under Morey—max-contract for Paul George ($212 million), a costly James Harden trade, and limited bench production—as structural challenges the new leader must address.
Context: Morey’s Tenure and Its Shortcomings
During Daryl Morey’s six-year stint, Philadelphia made five playoff appearances but never advanced past the Eastern Conference Semifinals, posting a 28-26 postseason record. Key missteps cited include:
- The 2024-25 max contract for Paul George, locking $140 million of cap space.
- The James Harden trade that yielded limited return and created locker-room tension.
- Insufficient depth, with role players such as Jared McCain, Isaiah Joe, and Julian Champagnie flourishing elsewhere while the Sixers bench contributed under 6 points per game in the Knicks sweep.
These outcomes contributed to Morey’s dismissal following the 2026 second-round sweep by New York.
Draft Lottery Reform and Asset Position
The NBA’s upcoming lottery overhaul flattens odds, placing the Sixers in the “middle-class” tier. Philadelphia also holds an unprotected 2028 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers and a top-three-protected right-to-swap in 2029. The Clippers, after a 48 % chance to acquire Indiana’s pick, landed the No. 5 slot, potentially affecting the Sixers’ future trade leverage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the realism of targeting Saleh: some list him as a top candidate, while others argue logistical and strategic barriers make the move improbable. Similarly, timelines vary—Myers cites a June 23 deadline, whereas other reports simply note “before the next draft.” No official list of interviewees has been released, leaving the final candidate pool uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the high-level decision-making, which is being here at the draft, being here leading up to the trade deadline, being available for free agency discussions, free agency meetings. Things like that. I’m going to be involved at that level,” — Bob Myers, President of Sports, HBSE
- “I can tell you that I imagine, and not saying this lightly, I will be communicating with that person daily if not five out of seven days a week.” — Bob Myers
- “There is a widespread belief, given those parameters, that Myers would want to explore trying to hire Onsi Saleh away from Atlanta after Saleh worked under Myers in Golden State before moving on to the Hawks.” — Marc Stein
- “The likelihood relayed to me, though, is that Saleh is expected to remain with the Hawks.” — Marc Stein
- “I want to hire somebody that I can work with, I want to hire somebody that Josh can work with,” — Bob Myers
- “I’m a big believer in character and leadership,” — Bob Myers
What’s Next
The Sixers will convene their search committee in the weeks leading up to the June 23 draft, evaluate candidates through informal meetings, and likely announce a permanent President of Basketball Operations before the draft lottery results are finalized. The new executive will inherit a restructured lottery system, valuable Clippers assets, and a roster in need of depth and cap flexibility.
