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76ers Sought Nuggets' Masai Ujiri As GM, According To Report

Masai Ujiri has turned some heads around the league, including those of the Philadelphia 76ers.

By Adam Stites
Feb 29, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri talks before the start of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 29, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri talks before the start of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Masai Ujiri has impressed many with his work as general manager of the Nuggets, including the Philadelphia 76ers, apparently, as the team sought to hire Ujiri to fill their void at the general manager position, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.

Since taking over as GM in 2010, Ujiri has substantially rebuilt the Nuggets roster, including the blockbuster move to send Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks just prior to the 2011 NBA trade deadline. According to Berger, Ujiri drew the respect of many of his peers for his recent involvement in the Dwight Howard trade in which he was able to acquire Andre Iguodala while also moving future salary.

Following the trade that sent Lakers center Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia, the 76ers were reportedly so impressed with Ujiri that they asked permission to interview him for their vacant general manager position, but were turned down.

Neither Ujiri nor the Nuggets were interested in parting ways after two seasons together, but with just one year left on the executive's contract, Denver will have to re-sign him or risk having him receive a better opportunity.

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