The NBA regular season is right around the corner, but the G League isn’t sleeping! The Delaware Blue Coats are making a HUGE front-office move, bringing in Brad Jones as their new general manager. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, along with @krisrhim1, broke the news, and it sounds like the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate is gearing up for a serious 2026-27 campaign. This isn’t just any hire, either: Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jameer Nelson hand-picked Jones to take over a role previously held by Ariana Andonian, who bounced to become GM of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Eight Years in the G League, Now Calling the Shots
So, who exactly is Brad Jones and why is this such a big deal? The man has spent the last eight years working directly for the G League offices. That’s eight years getting the inside scoop on player contracts, transactions, basketball operations, and all the league affairs! He’s basically a walking, talking G League encyclopedia. But his journey started even earlier: he kicked off his career with the Orlando Magic, starting as an intern and grinding his way up through their video and player personnel staffs. Get this: he even overlapped with Jameer Nelson back in Nelson’s playing days with the Magic. Talk about coming full circle! With all that experience, from the ground floor up to the league’s central office, it’s clear Jones is totally equipped to run this team. This isn’t some shot in the dark; this is a calculated move for the Blue Coats.
The Blue Coats Roster Could Be Absolutely Stacked
What does this mean for the Blue Coats on the court? A lot, actually. With Jones at the helm, the team is already looking to feature some seriously intriguing names. We’re talking two-way players like Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, who are both expected to spend significant time in Delaware. And it gets better: once NBA teams finalize their cuts, the roster picture could get even wilder. We could see big names like Tacko Fall, Saint Thomas, and even Jameer Nelson Jr. joining the squad. Plus, the Sixers still have an open two-way contract spot they can fill, which means even more talent could be headed to the Blue Coats in the coming weeks or months. This team consistently serves as a critical pipeline for the 76ers, developing young studs and giving guys meaningful minutes to earn their shot in the NBA, just like Justin Edwards and Adem Bona did in the past.
With a new general manager who knows the league inside and out, and some serious talent potentially on the way, the Blue Coats are absolutely positioned to remain one of the G League’s most compelling teams. As rosters get finalized and training camps wrap up, keep an eye on Delaware. This team is going to be electric, and Jones is the guy to lead them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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