Sixers general manager Elton Brand has already met with several top-name candidates for his team's head coaching job. Now it's on to the second round of meetings, where three well-known play callers will be interviewed.
According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, Brand and the Sixers are set to meet with former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, ex-Thunder coach Billy Donovan and Clippers assistant Ty Lue.
Former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, ex-Thunder coach Billy Donovan and Clippers assistant Ty Lue are expected to be part of the next round of interviews and are strongly vying for and interested in the position, according to sources.
D'Antoni and Donovan recently parted ways with their respective teams. D'Antoni announced that he would not be returning to the Rockets, while Donovan and the Thunder mutually agreed to separate. Lue, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first championship in 2016, is currently an assistant with the Clippers.
The Sixers are also intent on building a solid staff around Brand, according to The Athletic:
Philadelphia remains intent on building and adding talent under Brand to further strengthen the front office. Brand is well-respected by his peers across the NBA, agents and basketball industry executives. In addition to leading the head coaching search, Brand is having conversations with multiple NBA front-office personnel to bolster his staff. For the 76ers, Brand continues to be the leader of basketball operations.
The Sixers finished the 2019-20 regular season with a 43-30 overall record, which earned a No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Unfortunately, though, Philly was swept by the Boston Celtics in the opening round.
Exactly who the Sixers will hire as their next coach remains to be seen, but it sounds like the team is narrowing its options.