Bob Cooney: Sixers promote DiLeo to GM

A casual conversation with someone in the 76ers organization said it all earlier in the summer: "Tony DiLeo did a great job this summer with all the moves we made."

His past and those actions in the summer surely helped DiLeo get promoted to his new position, general manager of the team. DiLeo eventually will replace president Rod Thorn, who will move to an advisory position, as agreed upon when he signed on with the team.

DiLeo is entering his 23rd season with the team and has held a variety of positions. Most recently, he was vice president of basketball operations and assistant GM. He took that title after coaching the team for most of the 2008-09, replacing Maurice Cheeks.

"I am very excited about being named general manager of this organization and look forward to building upon our recent success," DiLeo said in a statement. "I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we put a team that our fans will be proud to support, both this season and in the future."

While the Sixers interviewed several prospects to take over for Thorn, an NBA source said that their focus kept coming back to DiLeo.

Said Thorn: "I'm very happy about Tony getting this job. I'm looking forward to working with him. He has always done a great job in his years with the Sixers. I think he'll do an outstanding job."

DiLeo, who played college basketball at La Salle and has two sons playing, as well (T.J. at Temple and Max at Monmouth), has been a big part of the college scouting process for the team in recent years. With their first pick in June's draft, the Sixers selected Maurice Harkless out of St. John's. Harkless was a key part of the four-team trade that landed the Sixers Andrew Bynum from the Lakers, with Harkless going to Orlando.

"We are very confident that Tony has the experience and knowledge to flourish in his new role and we will continue to provide him with the necessary tools and resources - including enhancing our capabilities in analytics - to strengthen our basketball operations department," owner Josh Harris said.

The Sixers and their revamped roster will open the preseason on Oct. 11 in Orlando. The regular season begins on Oct. 31, when the team hosts the Denver Nuggets and Andre Iguodala.

Contact Bob Cooney at cooneyb@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobCooney76.