Source says Sixers close to inking new general manager
It appears that Tom Penn, former assistant GM in Portland, is close to signing on as the new general manager of the Sixers. He would replace president Rod Thorn.
Source says Sixers close to inking new general manager
Bob Cooney
According to a source the 76ers are close to inking former Portland Trail Blazers executive Tom Penn as their new general manager. Penn would replace president Rod Thorn, who is set to move to an advisory role with the team.
Thorn is in the last of his three-year contract that was agreed to with then-owner Ed Snider. The contract also was for Thorn to serve another five years as a team advisor. It is believed that Thorn will move immediately to his new role when Penn becomes the general manager.
Penn, who was released as vice president of basketball operations by Portland in 2010, is said to be a CBA guru and a master capologist. He would be coming into a good situation with the Sixers on that front, as the team’s moves this offseason have left them with many short-term contracts.
For seven seasons Penn worked for the Memphis Grizzlies, part of the time as the team’s assistant general manager and he also did work at ESPN, analyzing how the CBA and how the salary cap affected teams in their desire to make moves.
The source said that Penn was in Philadelphia and that a deal could be very close.
Comments (16)
Good. Now they just need to hire a mixologist and I'll be prepared for the upcoming season— phils_tnj1- First question to ask the new GM: what did you think of the Kwame Brown signing? The answer will tell us a lot (if it's truthful).— mjc1
- Now that they've signed Kwame and Royal, what great moves are there left for a new GM to make?— dasher
- This guy is the perfect guy for the job. The GM opening in Philly is very atypical - it requires that the candidate work with Collins in regards to roster changes and evaluation. Collins already does GM work, so whoever takes over will probably be dealing more with contracts. If it was a standard opening where the GM does his normal job of dealing with the roster and contracts with no interference from the coach, Ferry would of taken the job.
This is why Collins wasn't just given the GM title as well. A financial guru with front office experience would be a good bet, especially considering that Harris wants a new financial direction for the team. This upcoming year is about financial flexibility - you can pretty much write off any playoff aspirations. Collins will just continue to develop and evaluate the talent. We're banking on bringing in a star. A guy like Penn around would help.
So it's a nice tandem. You already have your basketball evaluator in Collins (or so the FO thinks) and a capologist/young exec in Penn. It's not your typical Coach/GM relationship - they seem to defy their own titles - but it works.— enkiel - Never like when a General Manager is named AFTER a coach has been named. Thus, Penn will be following the leader (Collins) rather than naming his own guy.— chuckw
- They should listen to their New Penn Guru of the future instead of Penn_karmic in the past . Lol— phillafuN
- They should listen to their New Penn Guru of the future instead of Penn_karmic in the past . Lol— phillafuN
- Penn is not a personnel guy. He will work the financial magic of the signings orchestrated by Collins.— johnny eagle
- Just hoping Tom Penn doesn't have to sit on DC's lap during his introductory Press Conference....all kidding aside, this guy's (let's just call him TP) MO is the new CBA, something that he has down pat, and something that new ownership is very interested in (also something an old dog like Rod didn't get down, as chicken nachos became top priority)...He looks the part, and like I quipped yesterday..."the Front Office just got younger and more athletic"....Wonder if DC was in on the second interview from the land of fish and chips?— bearsfriend
- Agree enkiel, Chuck and Bear that this solidifies Doug as the Andy Reid of the Sixers for better or worse, IMO for the better. Also another sign of a young smart mgt ownership and mgt team.— JBP
- JBP: keep in mind that Andy Reid had general managers and player personnel directors who knew football, guys like Tom Heckert and Tom Modrak, and even the fantasy geek, Howie Roseman, while Joe Banner as President was the cap guru. Here it will be ALL Doug Collins and, as you know, I think that is a BIG mistake. I have no problem with guys who know the new CBA and the inner workings of the cap, although I agree with mtairy1 on the disconcerting direction of this ownership group and feel that Penn should NOT be a General Manager; give him another title and bring in a young basketball guyl and entirely new front office personnel and give them real power to stand up to Collins, not be his puppies. Coaches rarely make good General Managers.— chuckw
- Experience with the Grizzlies and Blazers? Why don't we cherry pick guys from successful organizations? Granted, that's not always guaranteed success, but this team needs a basketball mind in addition to DC. I'll give him a chance, but just because you have the flex contracts and the opportunity to be aggressive come next year doesn't mean you'll spend that wisely. Staying tuned...— pfes
- This season is one in which Doug Collins better have a pair of sneakers for himself. He might be their best player! The team is totally without a scorer. You have a bunch of guys who will give you 10 points a night, centers who won't combine for ten and a bunch of castoffs who won't light anybodies fire. Last year, they were fun to watch. One thing could save the season. If the two rookies play like their hair was on fire. They look like they could develop into winners but not in year one. I can't even remember the names of the players they picked up on the free agent market. They won't miss Lou Wlliams at the defensive end of the court but he was the only assassin they had. Unfortunately, too many nights at the end of the playoffs, he was using rubber bullets.— gotedge
- For once I am happy with the move I thought for sure DC backer Rick Sund! He is not tied in with the Philly connection and if DiLeo is let go I will be ecstatic!— Sam 52
- I'm sure he can be useful working with contracts and the cap and all the stuff that the new CBA put in. That could help them put themselves in a position to be able to get guys. Whether they want to come here, or whether DC identifies the right people to bring in is a totally different story.— blah
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About this blog
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
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