The Nets have named Billy King as the team’s new general manager and will introduce him to the media at a Thursday press conference.
King succeeds Rod Thorn, who is stepping down as the team’s president after 10 years. Terms of King’s contract were not released.
“I am very pleased Billy King is coming on board as Nets General Manager,” said team owner Mikhail Prokhorov. “He has all of the qualities we’ve been looking for in a candidate: professionalism, good relations with the league, players and agents, and strong communications skills. He will be an excellent fit with Head Coach Avery Johnson. Most importantly, Billy is ambitious. He wants to win. This is what I felt when I met with him and why he will be a strong addition to the Nets organization.”
“I am very excited about joining the Nets organization,” said King. “I want to thank Mr. Prokhorov and his executive team for the opportunity to oversee a franchise that has such a vibrant owner, an outstanding coach in Avery Johnson, and possesses the combination of young talent, cap space and draft choices that will allow us to build a squad that will be able to contend for an NBA title.”
King replaces Thorn, who took over the the team on June 2, 2000, and led the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances, two Eastern Conference titles and four Atlantic Division titles, the most successful stretch in the team’s NBA history.
“Rod Thorn is a legendary figure in the NBA, a man of true character and class,” said Prokhorov. “He has been nothing but committed and supportive during the transition to new ownership, and continues to share his wisdom and provide guidance for the Nets. I wish him all of the wonderful things he deserves. I will always consider him a great friend of the Nets.”
King joins the Nets after spending 10 years with the Philadelphia 76ers organization, serving as the team’s president from 2003-2007. King joined the 76ers on June 2, 1997 as vice president of basketball administration, a role in which he served as the point person for basketball operations. Less than a year later he was promoted to general manager, a position he held until being promoted to team president following the 2002-03 season.
During his 10-year tenure, King guided the team to five consecutive playoff appearances (1999-2003), including the 2000-01 season in which the Sixers captured the Atlantic Division Title on the heels of a 56-26 season and went on to win their first Eastern Conference Championship since 1983, to advance to the 2001 NBA Finals.
(Photo courtesy Dime Magazine)
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