Sam Hinkie has been out of the NBA since April 2016, when he stepped down from his position as General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. Though Hinkie’s strategy for rebuilding the team’s roster came under significant scrutiny during his four years as GM, NBA fans have now seen just how sound that strategy was. Hinkie, as a result, has become a cult hero, with some fans saying he “died for the 76ers’ sins.”
After years of struggle, the 76ers now have perhaps the most promising young roster in the league. Philly currently holds the East’s No. 6 seed. Last week, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and company pulled out an impressive, 108-97 win over the Cavaliers. If the current standings were to hold up, Philadelphia and Cleveland would match up in the first round. Though Cleveland, which has made three straight NBA Finals, would be favored, the 76ers would not be heavy underdogs.
The 76ers’ dramatic turnaround begs the question: Is Sam Hinkie going to return to the NBA? And, if so, when?
Hinkie spoke with The Ringer’s John Gonzalez during the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at the end of February. Though he didn’t make any bold declarations about his future, Hinkie told Gonzalez he is uncertain whether he will ever return to the league.
“I don’t know what the odds are,” Hinkie said regarding never making a return to the NBA, “but they’re real.”
Hinkie, however, remains open to the possibility. The bottom line: it has to be a good fit.
“I would be delighted in the right situation,” Hinkie said.
Hinkie still has scars from his Philadelphia fallout. His relationship with Sixers owner Joshua Harris deteriorated throughout his tenure as GM, though it seems at this point Harris is thrilled with the job Hinkie did.
When Gonzalez implied that it sounded like Hinkie would only come back if he could have authority over all operations, Hinkie pushed back.
“I worked 11 years in the NBA, and eight of those I was not the top guy and loved it,” Hinkie said. “Three of those, I was and loved that, too, in a different way. I think it’s more important to work with amazing people than it is your exact position.”
Hinkie is handling the situation with patience. In the meantime, he’s enjoying his NBA respite. He’s watching plenty of The Bachelor with his wife and has taken his family, which includes four kids, on a bunch of vacations.
