Sixers could look internally for front office vacancy

The Philadelphia 76ers have found themselves having to tackle a few things in the early days of the NBA offseason: what to do with the 22nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and who will fill in the shoes of Daryl Morey. Morey was let go by Philadelphia earlier in the month, ending what was a six-season stint in the City of Brotherly Love.

While their decision on what to do with the first-round pick has a set time attached to it, the same can’t be said for their front office search, which, according to a recent report, is slated to go to another level in the coming days.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Sixers’ search has landed them with three external candidates: Mike Gansey, Matt Lloyd, and Nick U’Ren. The names were boiled down after several others, including Onsi Saleh and Bryson Graham, were put out of the running.

The Sixers’ internal candidate

Yet Stein reports that there is yet another name being included in Philadelphia’s search, one that is already a part of their organization: Jameer Nelson, who is an assistant general manager at the moment.

“There are presently four main candidates in contention to be the 76ers' next president of basketball operations: Cleveland's Mike Gansey, Minnesota's Matt Lloyd, Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'Ren and Sixers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson,” writes Stein.

While Philadelphia is reportedly looking into the three aforementioned external candidates, Nelson appears to be a backup plan for Bob Myers, according to Stein.

“...it is increasingly expected that Nelson will be promoted to general manager at worst even if an external candidate is hired over him,” states Stein. “He is the only internal candidate in Philly being considered for the top spot by search leader Bob Myers and has been all but assured a significant role going forward no matter how the Sixers proceed.”

Apart from being a part of the Sixers’ front office, Nelson has been a part of the organization’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, in the past. The 44-year-old served as the Blue Coats’ Assistant General Manager and General Manager from 2020 to 2025.

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