The move isn't official yet, but the talk surrounding the Sixers this weekend has been about the impending appointment of Rockets executive Sam Hinkie as the new GM in Philadelphia. It will be the first of several key moves for the Sixers this summer, as the franchise must fill its coaching vacancy and decide on the future of free agent Andrew Bynum. There's been plenty of reaction to Friday's news about the change in the team's front office, as we share here:
- Evan Turner is eligible for an extension this summer heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and outgoing GM Tony DiLeo wanted to keep Turner around, a source tells John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Mitchell wonders whether Hinkie feels the same way about the former No. 2 overall pick.
- Hinkie's arrival puts to bed any notion that Larry Brown might return to coach the team, according to Mitchell, who hopes the move also spells the end for Bynum in Philly.
- In a separate piece, Mitchell outlines a to-do list for Hinkie and profiles the executive who's willing to supplement advanced statistics with the old-fashioned legwork of scouting.
- Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com suggests Hinkie ought to launch a full-fledged rebuild in Philadelphia, rather than just "tweaking" the roster.
- The Inquirer's Michael Kaskey-Blomain Inquirer wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers hire a first-time head coach, and he picks through the field of assistants in line to take over a team this summer.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.