We all thought that maybe one day Sam Hinkie and his ‘process’ would return. Following his departure from the Philadelphia 76ers after the NBA reportedly intervened and injected the Colangelo family into the organization. Sam Hinkie resigned and wrote a long letter about his departure, but he was apparently upset it leaked to the public.

But since then he’s been sort of vindicated in the eyes of some. The short but promising play from Joel Embiid has Sixers fans excited. A hopeful cornerstone piece in Ben Simmons was selected first overall in a tanking strategy set up by Hinkie. Plus, the ultimate swindle of getting a insane haul of picks from the Sacramento Kings for basically nothing. But the Kings might end up getting the best part of that deal in return when it’s all said and done. The organization is reportedly interested in bringing in Sam Hinkie to oversee Vlade Divac in the Kings front office.

ESPN’s Marc Stein and Zach Lowe broke the news.

The Sacramento Kings have expressed exploratory interest in former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, according to league sources.

?Sources told ESPN.com that Kings owner Vivek Ranadive sought and received permission directly from Sixers counterpart Josh Harris to speak with Hinkie.

Sources say Hinkie has long intrigued Ranadive, whose franchise has been thrust into a rebuilding mode not unlike Philadelphia’s status under Hinkie in the wake of trading DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans.

Neither Hinkie’s level of interest in a position with Sacramento, nor the sort of role Ranadive envisions for Hinkie in a front office currently run by popular former Kings player Vlade Divac, was immediately known.

Sources say other undisclosed teams have also sought permission to speak to Hinkie, which is presently required because the 39-year-old executive is forced to sit out the 2016-17 season based on the terms of the non-compete clause that took effect when he left Philadelphia in April 2016.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports has more on the potential Hinkie to Sacramento move.

Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has been quietly searching for an executive to place over Vlade Divac, league sources tell @TheVertical.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) March 27, 2017

As ESPN reports, Sam Hinkie is a target. Ranadive has casually talked with Hinkie, sources say, but Hinkie unsure his interest in job there.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) March 28, 2017

From Sac's minority owners and NBA, there's been pressure on Ranadive to make Kings front office more professional — starting at top.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) March 28, 2017

UPDATE: LOL JK? The Sacramento Kings release a statement saying the will not hire Sam Hinkie nor bring anyone in above Vlade Divac. It’s important to note, the Kings also said they were not trading DeMarcus Cousins.

From the Kings: pic.twitter.com/dyxbLdqUbF

— James Ham (@James_Ham) March 28, 2017

The post Sacramento Releases Statement: “The Kings are Not Hiring Sam Hinkie” appeared first on Def Pen.