Report: Sixers make large number of staff changes, with several scouts departing

The Philadelphia 76ers made a large round of staff changes this week. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported that a number of employees were let go on Friday.

According to a source, the total number of employees who were informed they would not be returning for next season was 13 — less than the previously reported figure of “around 17”. While some staff members were let go, some Sixers staffers did not have their contracts renewed at the end of last season, with one source confirming that several members of the scouting department were informed they would not be brought back for the 2021-22 season.

The Sixers’ scouting department has done an excellent job in recent years, especially when it comes to identifying young talent in the draft. The team has hit on several late-first round picks like Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey and most recently Jaden Springer at No. 28, who was projected as a lottery-level talent by plenty of experts. The Sixers have even found role players and quality prospects in the second round, too, such as Shake Milton (selected 54th overall in 2018), Isaiah Joe (selected 49th in 2020) and Paul Reed (selected 58th in 2020).

With some new faces joining the Sixers last year, including a Daryl Morey-led front office, the team’s new leadership group also wanted to take last season to evaluate some of the talent on staff, one source said.

Several of the other staff members leaving the Sixers have actually accepted promotions or new roles with other franchises. A few examples are Sixers director of scouting Danny Mills leaving to become the general manager of basketball operations for the Perth Wildcats in the NBL, video coordinator DJ MacLeay joining the Boston Celtics, and player development coach Drew Jones joining the Detroit Pistons, a source confirmed.

One key employee let go was senior director of equipment operations Scott Rego, who had been with the Sixers for 34 years and was a popular member of the organization. He developed relationships with players like Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid.

From the Blue Coats, head strength and conditioning coach Craig Whitworth-Turner and General Manager Matt Lilly are also departing. In addition to serving as the team’s GM, Lilly scouted for them as well. The Blue Coats have helped develop young talents including G League MVP Paul Reed, and went all the way to the Finals there just last season.

A team source confirmed that some of the positions affected in this round of staff changes will be filled or replaced, so you can expect to see the Sixers making some new hires.