Sixers and Brett Brown in “Deep Discussions” Over Contract Extension

The Sixers are in deep discussions with Brett Brown over a contract extension. | Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers are in discussions with head coach Brett Brown over a contract extension, according to co-managing owner Joshua Harris.

During a press conference to introduce Jerry Colangelo as the Chairman of Basketball Operations, Harris described the status of the negotiation as being in “deep conversations”.

“We’re still committed to Brett,” Harris said.

Brown confirmed as much in his press conference before the game.

“We are in deep discussions about my own contract. I have had amazing conversations with Josh Harris, David Blitzer, and Sam Hinkie about my own future. This is where I want to be,” Brown said. “I’m grateful to work for the ownership group that I do. They have treated me well.”

“To go through what we all have gone through in the past two years and to not be so passionate about seeing this through, I think that it would be naive,” Brown continued.

The words of endorsement came at an important juncture for Brown. With the Sixers’ hiring Colangelo, somebody who has no previous allegiance to Brown, as their new Chairman of Basketball Operations, speculation about whether he could look to bring in his own coach would have likely followed. Instead, the Sixers have seemingly cemented Brown’s future with the club.

Besides the confirmation from Harris that they were in deep negotiations, Colangelo had some positive words for the Sixers head coach.

“I think he’s done a terrific job here, considering the circumstances,” Colangelo said.

“Any time you get a stamp of endorsement from somebody that has experienced what he has, I appreciate it,” Brown said. “To get an endorsement from Mr. Colangelo, obviously I appreciate it.”

Ever the optimist, Brown, who has a 38-148 career record as an NBA head coach entering tonight’s game against San Antonio, still has high hopes for his squad.

“We want to bring A’s to Camden,” Brown said, referring to the new state of the art practice facility they’re building. “Our world changes in a really short period of time.”

Those “A’s”, as Brown called them, could be coming sooner rather than later. The Sixers have the potential to have four first round draft picks in next summer’s NBA draft, along with the potential additions of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric. Beyond those assets, it seems like the Sixers are more willing than every to bring in the depth necessary to compete on a nightly basis.

“We believe we are entering the next phase of our process,” Harris said during the press conference. “I wish [the rebuild] would go faster, and hopefully Jerry [Colangelo] will allow us to make it go faster.”

Should the Sixers change their philosophy, combined with the influx of talent from the moves Sam Hinkie has made over the years, Brown might have the talent necessary to compete for the first time in his NBA head coaching career.

Derek Bodner covers the 76ers for Philadelphia magazine. Follow @DerekBodnerNBA on Twitter.