Jerry Colangelo Leading Candidate to Replace Thorn

[The Regime]

The Nets already have undergone a major facelift this offseason with a new owner and coach. They will be looking for a new president, too.

Rod Thorn is retiring, according to sources close to the team.

 

Thorn, 69, has been in charge of the Nets’ basketball department since 2000. His current contract expires June 30, but he has yet to sign a new deal. Thorn has been telling people close to him, “I’m here until I’m not here.” A source said, Thorn told some staffers he is leaving in the next few weeks.

 

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants Thorn back. But Thorn will help the Nets through the free-agent process, which starts next week, but won’t be around much longer.

 

“I have no comment,” Thorn said.

 

Former Suns chairman and current USA basketball director Jerry Colangelo is the leading candidate to replace Thorn, who will be involved in picking his successor.

Prokhorov wants a big name and likes the job Colangelo did with the U.S. Men’s Olympic team. Colangelo also has relationships with the top free agents in the upcoming class, which could help the Nets in recruiting them as well as ease the transition from Thorn’s reign.

 

A league source said Colangelo will be offered a three-year deal for roughly $12 million to $15 million.

 

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