Writing on wall for Ed Stefanski?
With new owners coming in, could general manager be on his way out?
Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski is a finalist for the same job with the Toronto Raptors, a league source confirmed to the Daily News today. The Raptors actually got in touch with Stefanski some time ago, before the team's sale to Joshua Harris and Co. was even reported. That sale became finalized Wednesday. The source also said that Stefanski is on a short list of candidates to become president of the New York Knicks. Their former president, Donnie Walsh, decided not to return to the team when his contract expired at the end of last month.
Part of Harris' group includes former agent and Sacramento King front office executive Jason Levien. Sources in the league have indicated that they wouldn't be suriprised if when the sale is approved by the NBA's Board of Governors in the next couple of months, Levien will have a big say in the basketball operations.
Stefanski held the presidency and general manager title since being hired by the club in December of 2007, but was relegated to general manager duties when Rod Thorn was brought in as president last summer. The two also worked in those same positions together successfully in New York.
Thorn's hiring came after Stefanski hired Eddie Jordan for one disastrous season, in which the team won just 27 games. Stefanski did rectify that blunder by bringing in Doug Collins last May. Collins improved the team by 14 wins.
Stefanski, whom Collins holds in high regard, has one more year left on his contract with the Sixers. The source said Toronto could meet with Stefanski some time in August. There is no time table on a meeting with the Knicks.