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More Ed Stefanski To Raptors, Blazers Rumors

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As noted Tuesday, the new owners of the Philadelphia 76ers decided to part ways with GM Ed Stefanski, who has recently been involved in rumors with both the Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers for their open GM positions. Bob Cooney of Philly.com reports that Stefanski could be Canada-bound, after all. ---------------------------------- According to an NBA source, talks between the Toronto Raptors and Stefanski for their vacant GM job have "heated up." "I'm incredibly thankful for Eddie trusting me to be the coach," said [Sixers coach Doug] Collins, a huge Stefanski backer. "I didn't butt heads with [ownership] at all about the decision. As we sat down, and you know how strongly I feel about Eddie and I think he's an incredible president or GM, but I think the way they explained it best was they thought they had two guys who were fulfilling the same role. Eddie and [Sixers president] Rod [Thorn] are both qualified to be presidents of organizations. But my hopes and prayers are that Eddie is going to land on his feet and that he's going to get a great job. Somebody out there is going to get a heck of a basketball guy. ---------------------------------- Meanwhile, John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com reports that Stefanski could be headed for an interview with the Blazers. ---------------------------------- It has been widely reported that Stefanski has already talked to the Toronto Raptors about their GM position. Sources also tell CSNPhilly.com that the Portland Trailblazers are interested in Stefanski's services and an interview for a front office position could be in the near future. ---------------------------------- We've now reached the conflicting reports circus stage of the Blazers GM search, as Stefanski has now been linked to and de-linked from the Blazers GM position multiple times over the last two weeks. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter