Report: The Sixers Are Interviewing Candidates For Rod Thorn's Job
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A report says that not only are the Sixers interviewing people to replace current president Rod Thorn, but Thorn is one of the people doing the interviewing.
Bob Cooney reports in today's Daily News:
Potential candidates, according to league sources, include San Antonio vice president of operations Danny Ferry; Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey; Jeff Bower, who was a general manager for the New Orleans Hornets; Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver; Atlanta GM Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June; and Milwaukee GM John Hammond, who has a year remaining on his deal. Hammond, who was denied permission to talk to Portland last month, was an assistant coach for Doug Collins with Detroit.
The Sixers' interview group consists of owner Josh Harris, CEO Adam Aron, Collins and Thorn, a source said.
The report also says that though Thorn currently remains "in the saddle," if the Sixers were to find a suitable successor to Thorn quickly, Thorn would assume a part time "advisor" role that is also included in his contract.
Yahoo's Adrain Wojnarowski is reporting that Danny Ferry is the frontrunner to get the job. Wojnarowski says the Sixers have already been in touch with Ferry, and their ability to convince him to take the job could depend on how much say Doug Collins has over personnel decisions.
Notably absent from the list of candidates in the report is Sixers co-owner Jason Levien, who is a former agent and member of the Sacramento Kings front office. Levien's name has been hard to escape when talking about the future front office of the Sixers.
One has to wonder about the timing of the report, given the importance of this off-season for the Sixers, and the NBA draft just two weeks away. The Sixers will have to make decisions the draft, several current Sixers players who will become free agents (Lou Williams, Spencer Hawes, Lavoy Allen, Jodie Meeks), whether or not to use the amnesty clause on Elton Brand, and whether or not to trade Andre Iguodala (or anyone else for that matter).
