Jameer Nelson wants to be ‘part of the solution’ for the Sixers. His promotion provides an opportunity to do that ‘at home.’
Nelson, a Chester native and former St. Joseph's star, now holds the No. 2 front office position under new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who was determined to keep him on staff.
During early conversations with Josh Harris and Bob Myers, new 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey asked a version of this question multiple times:
Can we keep Jameer?
Can we elevate Jameer?
News popped Sunday that those inquiries had become reality. Jameer Nelson was promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations, the No. 2 front-office position under Gansey. It continues Nelson’s rise through his hometown NBA organization following a terrific playing career, which on Monday the Chester native and former St. Joseph’s star called “actually a surreal moment.”
“Six years ago, when I started [with the Sixers], I had no idea where this journey would take me,” Nelson said following Gansey’s introductory news conference at the Sixers’ facility. “Credit to the organization for believing in me … To do it for the home team gives me goosebumps, to be honest with you.
“I think it’s one of the things that people take for granted: when you can actually help out an organization but, more importantly, do it at home.”
Nelson was reportedly the primary internal candidate for the top job that went to Gansey, following a search spearheaded by Myers, the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and former lead executive during the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. When asked about the process that ultimately resulted in Nelson’s promotion from assistant general manager, he said, “It was fun, and it’s always good to be wanted.”
Vice president of player personnel Prosper Karangwa also attended Monday’s news conference, after the Inquirer confirmed Sunday that he had agreed to a multi-year contract extension. Fellow assistant general manager Ned Cohen and Delaware Blue Coats general manager Ariana Andonian also were present. Not spotted: Elton Brand, who is expected to transition to a new role and title after stints as the Sixers’ top front office decision-maker and as general manager under former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who was fired May 12.
That all makes Nelson the prime example of front office continuity — he fielded questions about Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid on Monday — and deep local roots. Nelson considers himself “Philadelphia adopted,” idolizing Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant before his own successful career.
Nelson’s understanding of the current roster, city’s passionate fan base, and media scrutiny also was valuable to Myers.
“He has that equity with our players and the community,” Myers said.
The Sixers went 45-37 during the 2025-26 regular season, came back from a three-games-to-one deficit to upset the Boston Celtics in the playoffs’ second round, then were swept by the Finals-bound New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They also face an immediately challenging roster setup, with Maxey and Edgecombe forming a dynamic young backcourt but Embiid and fellow injury-plagued veteran Paul George still on max contracts for multiple seasons.
As Nelson’s 14-year NBA playing career wound down, he initially thought he would become a coach. Instead, Brand hired Nelson as a Sixers scout, before being elevated to general manager of the G League-affiliate Blue Coats. Collaborating with players and coaches in that role “[quenched] my thirst for coaching,” Nelson said, while he learned how to lead all aspects of a professional organization.
He was promoted to Sixers assistant general manager last year. Myers noticed that Morey empowered Nelson in that position, and regularly sent him on road trips to interact with returning coach Nick Nurse. Nelson added that an unnamed “former co-worker ‘above me’ in title” challenged that, if Nelson did not make that superior better, he had “failed.”
“My voice was bigger,” Nelson said of his role this past season. “Ultimately, I always had the confidence to know who I am. But it just gave me more confidence when I had a project, and I was able to accomplish the goal. …
“You don’t have to be ‘ready.’ You have to be prepared. I’ll look at it like that: Just be prepared for everything to figure things out, and help the group make the right decision.”
Nelson acknowledged Monday that, in past years, he has received job interest from other teams. But he wants to be “part of the solution here” and feels “responsibility to help this organization move forward.”
Gansey understands that connection to the Sixers and Philly because of past college battles, when Gansey’s St. Bonaventure teams went 0-2 against Nelson’s St. Joseph’s squads. That is a reason why, when Gansey landed his new gig, it was “kind of a sticking point” that Nelson also received this promotion.
“I think I got the win now,” Gansey said. “Got him on my side.”
