Billy King new Nets' GM

Former 76ers general manager Billy King has been named the New Jersey Nets' new general manager.

King was hired Wednesday to replace Rod Thorn as the team's top executive, new owner Mikhail Prokhorov announced in a release.

Thorn is stepping aside as president and general manager on Friday. He has said he simply wants a change of scenery after a decade of running the team.

Prokhorov said on Tuesday his new chief executive would control both the job as president and general manager, something Thorn did in recent months after general manager Kiki Vandeweghe's contract was not renewed.