8:01pm: The Sixers have confirmed Hinkie’s resignation via press release. “This evening, Sam Hinkie notified the organization that he has elected to step down as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager,” the team’s official statement relayed. “While we are disappointed in Sam’s decision, we would like to sincerely thank him for his contributions over the past three seasons. There is no question that Sam’s work has put us in a very strong position to take advantage of numerous opportunities for an exciting future.”
7:47pm: In a full-length piece, Stein posted an excerpt from Hinkie’s resignation letter to team ownership. “There has been much criticism of our approach. There will be more. A competitive league like the NBA necessitates a zig while our competitors comfortably zag,” Hinkie wrote. “We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. Given all the changes to our organization, I no longer have the confidence that I can make good decisions on behalf of investors in the Sixers — you. So I should step down. And I have.” Stein’s sources also inform him that Bryan Colangelo’s hiring in Philadelphia is imminent.
7:40pm: Sixers team officials said that they are unaware of any resignation involving Hinkie, Wojnarowski relays (via Twitter).
7:37pm: In addition to Bryan Colangelo, Danny Ferry is the other candidate the Sixers were considering to work alongside Hinkie, Wojnarowski tweets.
7:12pm: Sixers GM Sam Hinkie has stepped down from his post with the team, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). It’s unclear at this time if this resignation was 100% voluntary and if Hinkie intends to remain with the organization in a different capacity going forward. Philadelphia is targeting Bryan Colangelo as a potential replacement for Hinkie, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical relays (Twitter links). Team ownership had stated the intention to add another top basketball executive who would hold a similar title to Hinkie’s, which did not sit well with the GM, the Vertical scribe adds.
Hinkie had said back in March that he wasn’t worried about his job security, even though the Sixers were reportedly considering a move that would further reduce his role. He’d lost much of his autonomy and influence in the wake of Jerry Colangelo being hired as chairman of basketball operations, so Hinkie’s departure doesn’t come as an absolute shock, though the timing certainly is odd given that the season has less than two weeks remaining.
Hinkie became the Sixers’ GM in May of 2013 after a stint as the Rockets executive vice president. The executive’s rebuilding through bottoming-out plan has been met with much scrutiny and derision around the league and Philadelphia had an overall record of 47-195 during Hinkie’s reign.
Wow just Wow!!!!!!! Back to being mediocre again.
As opposed the rampant success of the last 3 years?
As opposed to being mediocre the 10-15 before Hinkie. Being middle of the pack hoping to make playoffs and/or 8th seed and getting bounced.
Noooooooo I waited to see the process
” don’t worry, it’s part of he process”
He just had an pretty interesting, occasionally awkward podcast appearance on the Lowe Post the other day.
They bring in Bryan Colangelo and slowly start to decrease his role and responsibilities until he either becomes completely irrelevant in the process and stay or “resign”. Kind of like a sly way to fire a guy and not have to pay him out. Chip tried to do that to Howie, but then Chip can’t draft players.
If this team turns into Jimmy Buttler, Ben Simmons/Brandon Ingram, Saric, and whomever is left over from trading for Butler (Noel/Okafor/Embiid) then the process was very well worth it.
How they getting Butler?
By trading Saric and Bayless, and Covington, and a 2nd to Minnesota
Wow. They strong armed him into this. After getting to this point, I dont get why they didn’t just let him see it through. At least give him 1 more year, with the assets they have heading into the offseason, to evaluate the potential core.
Like Derek bodner wrote in his article. The process isn’t hinkie it was ownership. Ownership caved to pressure of outside sources. The process wasn’t a failure ownership is.