Sixers Make Additions to Front Office and Coaching Staff
NBA free agency hasn’t started yet, but that didn’t stop the Sixers from making some big splashes today.
The Sixers are in talks to sign former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to a five-year contract as president of basketball operations, per multiple reports. General manager Elton Brand will remain at his position, but Alex Rucker is expected to be let go during the offseason, per Keith Pompey.
Conversations with the Sixers and Daryl Morey started shortly after his departure from Houston, escalated in recent days and will culminate with Morey becoming the Sixers new President, sources tell ESPN. Doc Rivers and Morey have a strong relationship and history together.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 28, 2020
In addition to the front office move, reports say the Sixers will also add Dan Burke and Sam Cassell as assistant coaches to Doc Rivers’ staff. These moves come after the Sixers also hired former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger as an assistant coach earlier this month.
The Sixers are hiring longtime Pacers assistant coach Dan Burke, league sources tell ESPN. Burke joins former Grizzlies and Kings coach Dave Joerger on Doc Rivers’ coaching staff, and is widely regarded for his defensive acumen.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 28, 2020
Burke, a long-time assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, is widely believed to be an elite defensive coach. The Pacers have had terrific defensive teams over the years, and Burke is considered to be a key reason for why that was the case. Cassell will reunite in Philly with Doc Rivers after being his assistant for the LA Clippers the past six seasons. Sixers fans may also know Cassell well for being the Milwaukee Bucks starting point guard in 2001 when Philadelphia beat them in seven games to make the NBA Finals.
After the Sixers underperformed this year, it became clear changes needed to be made. The roster could still use adjustments, but many fans felt the coaches and front office is what needed to change first. The big-name moves Philadelphia has made so far can give Sixers fans hope for the future when it felt like there was none just two months ago. It will be interesting to see what player personnel moves this new front office and coaching staff will make in the offseason, but fans can now be more comfortable in believing the right moves will be made.
