Sam Hinkie resigned from his post as Sixers GM this past week and the team is reportedly set to ink Bryan Colangelo as his replacement. 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.
In his 13-page resignation letter to the team’s ownership group, Hinkie wrote, “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. 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.”
The team was reportedly surprised by the sudden resignation and in their official statement relayed, “This evening, Sam Hinkie notified the organization that he has elected to step down as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. 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.”
Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…
NBA Draft News
Underclassmen Entering
- Dragan Bender, PF, International
- Robert Carter, PF Maryland (junior)
- Vince Edwards, SF, Purdue (sophomore)
- Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette (freshman)
- Kay Felder, PG, Oakland (junior)
- Josh Hart, SG, Villanova (junior)
- Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke (freshman)
- Kris Jenkins, F, Villanova (junior)
- Derrick Jones, SF, UNLV (freshman)
- Patrick McCaw, SG, UNLV (sophomore)
- Mamadou Ndiaye, C, UC Irvine (junior)
- Chris Obekpa, F/C, UNLV (junior)
- Alec Peters, PF, Valparaiso (junior)
- Xavier Rathan-Mayes, G, Florida State (sophomore)
- Devin Robinson, SF, Florida (sophomore)
- Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Gonzaga (sophomore)
- Diamond Stone, C, Maryland (freshman)
- Isaiah Taylor, PG, Texas (junior)
- Aaron Valdes, G, Hawaii (junior)
You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.
Signings
- The Pelicans signed Jordan Hamilton for the remainder of the season.
- The Nets signed Henry Sims for the rest of the season.
- The Grizzlies signed Xavier Munford to a multiyear deal.
- The Sixers signed Christian Wood for the remainder of the season.
You can stay up to date on all the 10-day deals handed out with our 10-day contract tracker.
Waivers
- The Grizzlies waived Ryan Hollins.
Miscellaneous News
- Former Hawks center Pero Antic filed a civil rights suit against the New York Police Department in connection with an incident from April 2015 outside a New York nightclub.
- Nets assistant GM Frank Zanin resigned from his post.
- Mike Conley is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs because of his sore left Achilles tendon.
- Suns point guard Brandon Knight was shut down for the remainder of the season because of a sports hernia.
- Michigan State senior shooting guard Denzel Valentine reportedly signed with the Wasserman Media Group and agent B.J. Armstrong.
- The Bulls hired Horace Grant as special advisor to team president and chief operating officer Michael Reinsdorf.
D-League News
- The Jazz will reportedly relocate their D-League affiliate from Boise, Idaho to Salt Lake City next season.
You can stay up to date on all the D-League assignments and recalls for the season here.
dragan bender is from croatia…haha