After weeks of speculation, Brett Brown will be representing the Philadelphia 76ers at the NBA Draft Lottery in New York City on May 17. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey broke the news Monday morning.
#Sixers coach Brett Brown will represent the franchise at the #NBADraftLottery on May 17. pic.twitter.com/2GlhjmvWz7
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 9, 2016
Brown will be the first head coach to represent the 76ers at the Lottery since John Lucas in 1994. That year, the Sixers remained at the 6th spot and selected Sharone Wright.
Brown's trip to New York can be viewed as a reaffirmation of his job security, first brought in doubt after Sam Hinkie's resignation and when Bryan Colangelo said "there will be a lot of movement in management and maybe with the coaches, too," during his introductory press conference. Reports have surfaced, along with initial speculation here at Liberty Ballers, that the Colangelos might prefer current-assistant Mike D'Antoni over Brown.
Nonetheless, the 55-year-old head coach will be a great representative. Brown oozes charisma, and one can only imagine how genuinely excited he will be if the Sixers are able to secure the No. 1 overall selection, let alone snagging the Lakers' pick as well.
In franchise history, the Sixers have moved up or stayed in their original slot at every Draft Lottery they've participated in aside from 2014's slide to No. 3.
The list of Sixers' previous lottery representatives is as follows:
2015- Nerlens Noel
2014- Julius Erving
2013- Joshua Harris
2010- Jrue Holiday
2007- Billy King
2006- Billy King
2004- Bill King
1998- Pat Croce
1997- Pat Croce
1996-- Pat Croce
1995- John Lucas II
1994- Gene Shue
1993- Jim Lynam
1992- Gene Shue
1988- John Nash
1986- Pat Williams