Report: 76ers create executive position reporting to Hinkie

The Philadelphia 76ers have promoted Brandon Williams to the newly-created position of chief of staff - reporting to general manager Sam Hinkie - according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Williams had been GM of the Sixers' D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers.

Hinkie had been rumored to have been undercut by the organization's hiring of veteran NBA executive Jerry Colangelo as chairman in December. Many in the league - including, reportedly, some in the Sixers' hierarchy - had grown impatient with Hinkie's protracted rebuilding plan, known as "the process."

Since Colangelo - who now has final say on all basketball decisions - arrived, Philadelphia has added a productive veteran in Ish Smith, and could be a team to watch ahead of the Feb. 18 trade deadline.

The 76ers remain the worst team in the NBA, with a record of 7-42 going into Thursday.