In the cutthroat world of professional sports, winning always has a method, and losing always has a reason. While solving star-player issues may take time, changes to the coaching staff or front office can happen in an instant. In the East, the Orlando Magic were eliminated 3-4 in the first round, and head coach Jamahl Mosley was fired the same day. Out West, the Portland Trail Blazers were swept 1-4 by the San Antonio Spurs, leaving interim coach Tiago Splitter with little chance of staying on. If the Cleveland Cavaliers or New York Knicks fail to emerge from the Eastern Conference, Kenny Atkinson and Mike Brown could also be on the hot seat. Today, the Philadelphia 76ers swung the axe, not at head coach Nick Nurse, but at president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, 76ers owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer officially decided to fire Morey. The team confirmed the move in a statement. Philadelphia also announced that former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers will assist in finding the next head of basketball operations, with Myers overseeing related duties in the interim. This signals strong trust in Myers and could mark his return to the NBA, possibly even as the new president himself. Shams noted that Nurse’s job is safe—he will begin his fourth season as 76ers head coach next year.
Morey’s dismissal was widely expected. This season, the 76ers finished 45–37 and entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed after the play-in tournament. In the first round, they trailed the Boston Celtics 1–3 before capitalizing on Jayson Tatum’s injury to force a Game 7 and win 4–3 in a stunning upset. In the second round, however, they were swept 0–4 by the New York Knicks, losing by a total of 89 points—including a 39-point blowout and a 30-point loss. But the early playoff exit was merely the final straw; Morey’s mismanagement over the years had dragged the franchise into a deep hole.
A quick review of Morey’s questionable decisions: He lured James Harden to Philadelphia with promises of a max contract, helping Joel Embiid win MVP. Then he reneged on the verbal agreement, forcing Harden to leave for Los Angeles and publicly denounce Morey during a trip to China. Morey then signed Paul George to a four-year, $212 million deal, but George played only 88 regular-season games over two seasons and averaged just 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 11 playoff games this year—hardly worth $50 million annually. To save money, Morey traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder midseason; the Thunder then swept their first two playoff rounds, making the move look even worse.
In six years as 76ers president, Morey spent heavily but achieved little: one season missing the playoffs, one first-round exit, and four second-round exits. It was only a matter of time before he was let go. Yet the mess he leaves behind is daunting. Next season, the 76ers will have three players earning at least $40 million—the only team in the league with that distinction. Embiid is owed $59.54 million, $64.3 million, and $69.07 million over the next three years; George is due $54.13 million and $56.59 million; and Tyrese Maxey will make $40.77 million, $43.58 million, and $46.39 million.
To turn this roster around, Embiid is the key. George has accepted a complementary role, but Embiid, despite constant injuries, has not fully handed the team’s reins to Maxey. His inconsistent presence hinders Maxey’s development. Embiid has never reached the conference finals in eight playoff appearances, making him the only MVP in NBA history without that accomplishment. He should follow Karl-Anthony Towns’ example: Towns spent his first eight seasons failing to get past the first round, but after accepting a secondary role, he has reached the conference finals three straight years. If Embiid cannot adapt, he may become the next player the 76ers look to move. What do you think—will Philadelphia trade Embiid?