After refusing to accept another marginalization of his power, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations and general manager Sam Hinkie resigned Wednesday, clearing the way for two-time NBA executive of the year Bryan Colangelo to take over as general manager, league sources told The Vertical.

"While we are disappointed in Sam's decision, we would like to sincerely thank him for his contributions over the past three seasons," 76ers managing general partner Josh Harris said in a statement. "There is no question that Sam's work has put us in a very strong position to take advantage of numerous opportunities for an exciting future."

Hinkie's top aides in basketball operations learned of his resignation through the media, league sources said.

Colangelo, the 2005 and 2007 NBA executive of the year, is the son of 76ers chairman Jerry Colangelo, whom the franchise inserted over Hinkie four months ago.

Sixers ownership and Jerry Colangelo wanted Hinkie to accept Bryan Colangelo’s hiring as a complement to Hinkie in the front office, but he rejected the idea, sources said.

Bryan Colangelo had actively pursued the Brooklyn Nets general manager job, initially unenthusiastic about the perception of working for his father for the second time in his career, sources said.

Bryan Colangelo worked for Jerry Colangelo for 13 seasons in Phoenix, where Bryan constructed a Western Conference power in the mid-2000s before an ownership change led him to accept the titles of president and general manager in Toronto in 2006.

Philadelphia had considered the candidacy of former Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry in recent weeks, sources said, but Bryan Colangelo emerged as the choice.

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