Any day now, the Philadelphia 76ers will hire a new front office leader to replace Daryl Morey as the President of Basketball Operations.
With the dust settling, it seems the Sixers’ search has been narrowed down to four targets. Among them is a player-turned-executive with a lack of experience in Jameer Nelson.
All signs have been pointing to Nelson getting a serious look for the position by Bob Myers, who is leading the charge. One prominent Philly-based host, Spike Eskin, is against the idea.
Spike Eskin Delivers The Brutal Truth of Targeting Jameer Nelson
GettyDALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 20: Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center on February 20, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
“Truly considering Jameer Nelson for President of Basketball Operations would be ridiculous, and hiring him would be organizational malpractice,” Eskin said on 94WIP earlier this week.
“This is not a job with training wheels. This is a job where the organization cannot sit back and let somebody learn on the job. The situation is difficult and requires no margin for error. Rebuilding a team on the fly with $200 million due to Joel Embiid through 2029, $120 million due to Paul George through 2028, will require someone who is good at everything, and we don’t actually have any idea what Jameer Nelson is good at. He has no calling card, he has no individual success to point to, and he barely has any experience.”
Eskin joked that he would name all of Nelson’s accomplishments on air, just to stay silent for a moment before stating he was finished. While the delivery is harsh, the message has plenty of truth to it.
Nelson started at the G League level, running the front office for the Delaware Blue Coats. Ahead of the 2025-2026 NBA season, he was promoted to become Elton Brand’s Assistant General Manager.
Nelson may be a future front office star, but hiring him is definitely the biggest risk, and the upside is very much unknown.
The Sixers Have To Get It Right
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JUNE 12: ESPN commentator Bob Myers reports before Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Before Daryl Morey, Elton Brand had the keys to the front office. He traveled the same path as Nelson to get the final say in basketball operations moves.
Many argue that Brand didn’t do a good job during his short time in charge, which led to the decision to lure Morey in. The Sixers took two different routes. Two years with a first-timer–six years with a seasoned vet–both had the same results. No championships won.
If the Sixers were closing the book on the Joel Embiid era and starting a rebuild, Nelson would be an excellent bet to run the front office. Considering the reality of the situation, the safer pick is the best bet.
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