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He then moved to Boston, but his time with the famous franchise was marred by a finger injury in a game against Dallas at the end of the regular season. In the end, the Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia, who overcame a 3-1 deficit and advanced to the semifinals. "There were good and bad moments in Boston. I think the finger injury, which took me out for a month, had a big impact. The timing of the injury itself had a big impact - right before the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Then I couldn't find the right rhythm, fit in with my teammates, and find my way in my new role."
Shams Charania: The Philadelphia 76ers are promoting assistant general manager Jameer Nelson to the team's Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations under new President Mike Gansey, making the Philly native and former NBA All-Star the No. 2 executive for the franchise, sources tell ESPN. 76ers assistant GM Prosper Karangwa has also agreed to a multiyear contract extension.
Julian Champagnie's improbable journey from being unceremoniously cut by Philadelphia on Valentine's Day 2023 to reaching the NBA Finals as a key member of the Spurs came to mind as he held onto the ball at the end of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. "I thought it was over, I ain't going to lie to you," the forward said, recalling how emotional he was when the Sixers let him go as a 21-year-old undrafted rookie out of St. John's.
Cleveland's Mike Gansey and Sixers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson are regarded as the current leading candidates for the head of basketball operations post, which became available when Philadelphia fired Daryl Morey on May 12. As The Stein Line reported Monday, there is a growing expectation in league circles that Nelson will be elevated to general manager in Philadelphia at a minimum in the event he does not get the top job.
Zach Kram: How quickly it took the Knicks to build a 20-point lead in potential closeout games this spring: vs. Atlanta: 11 minutes vs. Philly: 11 minutes vs. Cleveland: 13.5 minutes
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According to league sources, the Mavericks have expressed interest in adding Philadelphia’s Prosper Karangwa to their front office, and Toronto’s director of global scouting, Patrick Englebrecht, is also a candidate to reunite with Ujiri in Dallas after they worked together since the 2013-14 season.
StatMuse: Fun Fact: Jared McCain has scored more points in the Conference Finals than the last six 76ers lottery picks combined. Eddie Johnson: The King of Analytics, couldn’t use this guy in Philly.
On Feb. 3, however, he found out he was being traded to the Thunder. “I was on the bus with the Sixers and we were heading to the airport in San Francisco. We just played Golden State,” McCain said. “I texted my agent for a gym in L.A. and he called me, and I think he’s calling me about the gym. He is like, ‘They’re about to trade you.’ Then [then-Sixers president Daryl Morey] called me five minutes later and told me I was traded. It was pretty wild, and I started crying immediately. “Those are my brothers and still are my brothers to this day. It was definitely tough. They thought I was joking when I told them, and then I started crying. Then they were like, ‘Oh, this is serious.’ Then we got off the bus and they all came up to me and I still went on the plane with them to L.A. I still miss Philly to this day. I never was able to see my house again because we were on the road. It’s little things like that. I miss my routine, but I’m definitely blessed to be here.”
From his beginnings in Chester, Pa., to his storied career at Saint Joseph’s and a terrific NBA lifespan for a small guard, to a front-office career with the Philadelphia 76ers, Jameer Nelson has permanently etched his name in Philly hoops lore. And it looks like he’s going to take another step forward. Multiple league sources tell The Athletic that Nelson, among others, is a candidate to become the 76ers’ next president of basketball operations. He is Philadelphia’s strongest internal candidate, as he served this season as assistant general manager. Even if Nelson doesn’t come away with the obvious vacated spot last week when the 76ers moved on from Daryl Morey, he is a favorite to receive a promotion, league sources say.
Marc Stein: Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'ren, who worked for the Warriors before his move to the WNBA, have emerged as names to watch in Philadelphia's front office search, @TheSteinLine has learned. Adding to our existing Philly coverage: tinyurl.com/2hw5e8pj
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There has likewise been chatter all season about a likely expanded role for Sixers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson no matter who comes in as Morey's replacement. Nelson is held in very high esteem in Philadelphia and is routinely described as a rising candidate to run his own team someday.
This was what happened in the 76ers-Knicks series, as New York took over Xfinity Mobile Arena in Game 4 with chants of “Knicks in four”. This was jarring to hear, as it did not seem like Philly was playing at home at all. 76ers owner Josh Harris made his feelings regarding the matter perfectly clear in a press conference on Thursday night. “Obviously I didn’t like it. It’s our homecourt. We did everything we could, including buying tickets to keep the [Knicks] fans out. It’s on us. The fans supported us. Let’s face it. We got swept. For that last game, there were some Knicks fans in the arena. Our job is to come back and win that series next year. I didn’t like it but it gives me more focus and more orientation to start getting back to work,” Harris said, via NBA_NewYork on X (formerly Twitter).
Bob Myers added: “I know how much the 76ers mean to the City of Philadelphia, and it’s important we find the right leader to shape the future of this team,” Myers said. “The process will start immediately, and we will be thorough and deliberate in our evaluations. I believe this is a destination for top talent across the league and look forward to solidifying our infrastructure moving forward.”
NBA Courtside: Brian Windhorst on Joel Embiid questioning his future in Philly: “He has 3 years $192M left on his contract which will begin next season. I can promise him he will definitely be back. He is not going anywhere”
Brian Windhorst on Joel Embiid questioning his future in Philly:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) May 11, 2026
“He has 3 years $192M left on his contract which will begin next season. I can promise him he will definitely be back. He is not going anywhere” pic.twitter.com/wMyV23PtiZ