Report: 76ers Will 86 Billy King

Billy King's reign of terror as 76ers team president will end in Philadelphia later today, according to the Inquirer's David Aldridge. He'll be replaced by current Nets GM Ed Stefanski, who is expected to sign a mulityear deal today.

I can't remember the last time a team poached a front office executive from a division rival in-season, but I'm guessing Nets president Rod Thorn allowed the move because it's probably Stefanski's dream job: not only is it a promotion, but it's also a homecoming as he grew up near Philly and played college ball at Penn. Plus, and it'd be naive to think this wasn't also a factor, it should be years before the Sixers are even close to being a factor in the Atlantic.

I don't think many fans will regret seeing King leave, although they may resent it didn't happen sooner. From Enrico at The 700 Level:

My problem with all of this: you trust the guy enough to trade away Allen Iverson, a move that will undoubtedly shape your franchise for the foreseeable future, then you fire him less than a year later.

Not only that, it would have been nice to have a competent basketball mind running the draft, which the Sixers absolutely botched despite having four picks. Another question that still needs to be addressed is Maurice Cheeks' job security, as well as what role (if any) Larry Brown, one of King's confidants, will retain with the team. I'm guessing Stefanski will hold off on making any drastic changes for the time being, but once he gets his bearings anything could happen.