Jerry Colangelo Named 76ers' Chairman of Basketball Operations

Philadelphia 76ers ownership may be growing tired of the organization's long-term rebuilding process outlined by general manager Sam Hinkie. The team announced Monday it hired Jerry Colangelo as special adviser to the managing general partner and chairman of basketball operations.

"Colangelo is one of the most respected people in basketball, and we are excited to add his five decades of knowledge, relationships and experience to help drive our organization forward," Sixers co-managing owner Josh Harris said in the press release.

"This is not a deviation from our plan," Harris said, per Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated. "We believe we are entering the next phase of our process."

On Wednesday, Tom Moore of the Intelligencer reported that, according to a source, Hinkie wouldn't remain in his current role with the team, saying, "It's clear (Hinkie) has, for all intents and purposes, been fired." 

On Dec. 7, Harris made it seem like Hinkie would remain in the same position with the organization, saying, "I continue to have confidence in Sam. ... I want Sam in this position," per USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt.

Hinkie discussed his role with the team on Dec. 11, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe:

"

"Our owners made it very clear they want me leading us long-term," Hinkie says. "Adding one more voice will make the conversation richer. Might it be challenging at times? I'm sure it will be. But making big decisions shouldn't be easy -- it shouldn't be that you have an idea, and you get to execute it without anyone questioning it."

"

At the time, Colangelo said Hinkie would have the final say in personnel decisions but that there will be "a lot of collaboration and discussion" before any decisions are made, per the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps. According to Zillgitt, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver played a "significant" part in the decision to hire Colangelo.

On Tuesday, ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, citing sources, reported that "NBA owners have been lobbying the league's front office to step in with regard to the direction of the [76ers]" since the summer of 2014. "It was that effort that helped lead to the hiring of [Colangelo] to a senior position earlier Monday, the sources said," per Windhorst.

CBS Sports' Matt Moore is unsure Harris' and Colangelo's sentiments will hold true:

"

Colangelo could really come in, provide another voice, it could be no big change to the process. Things could get upended in three months.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 7, 2015"

"

My hot take on Colangelo addition? I’ve seen enough front office moves to know you can disregard anything said today. Gotta let it play out

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 7, 2015"

Windhorst also reported that league insiders are speculating Colangelo may end up in the team's ownership group as part of his new job in Philadelphia.

No team has embraced tanking in the NBA the way the Sixers have. Hinkie showed where the franchise was heading by trading Jrue Holiday on the night of the 2013 draft in a deal that landed Nerlens Noel. Since then, Philadelphia has stockpiled draft picks with varying levels of success.

Noel has been a hit so far, but Joel Embiid and Dario Saric have yet to appear in a regular-season game. In addition, Jahlil Okafor's on-court development has been overshadowed at times by off-court issues.

While Colangelo's arrival may not signal a complete shift in the 76ers' plans, he will likely enact some changes in how Philly builds its roster from this point forward. He is no stranger to turning a team into a title contender, helping the Phoenix Suns reach their only two NBA Finals in 1975-76 and 1992-93.

Colangelo comes in as the 76ers are experiencing their worst season with Hinkie as GM. They have the worst record in the league (1-20) and began the regular season by losing their first 18 games. You can understand why ownership might be second-guessing the franchise's overall direction.