Sixers: Daryl Morey has earned the Executive of the Year award

When the Philadelphia 76ers entered the playoffs last season, they had a lame-duck head coach in Brett Brown, an unorganized front office headed by general manager Elton Brand, and a poorly constructed roster. This season they are a top team in the NBA and a big reason why is the job that Daryl Morey has done since getting hired this last offseason.

Morey shouldn’t get all the credit with players like Joel Embiid stepping up and head coach Doc Rivers taking control of the locker room, however, how he has changed the roster this year has can’t be ignored. He’s done so well, he should be considered as a favorite for Executive of the Year (EOY).

Sixers’ executive Morey should win the EOY award.

Let’s start with the draft where Morey was the head of the front office that selected Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Paul Reed. All three players appear to be at minimum role players and Maxey has All-Star potential. When reviewing this draft, it’s fair to say that the Sixers hit on all their picks and they had one of the best drafts overall.

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Then Morey was able to offload the albatross that is known as Al Horford’s contract for Danny Green, Terrance Ferguson, and Vincent Poirier. The only thing of value that Morey had to give up was a future first round pick in 2025 and a 2020 second round pick. Considering that Green is a starter who has a valuable role, this is a great move by Morey.

Then he flipped Josh Richardson and a 2020 second round pick for Seth Curry. Curry has been an elite shooter this year despite not being healthy for most of the season. Richardson has fallen off offensively as a member of the Dallas Mavericks this year, so this is also a major win for Morey and the 76ers.

He also flipped first round bust Zhaire Smith for a solid backup center in Tony Bradley. He then turned Bradly, Ferguson, Poirier for veteran point guard George Hill and Ignas Brazdeikis. He waived Brazdeiks not too long afterward to bring in veteran Anthony Tolliver.

Morey has signed some solid free agents who weren’t negatives while members of the Sixers. The list of free agents he’s signed includes Dwight Howard, Tolliver, Mason Jones, Gary Clark, and Rayjon Tucker. Howard in particular has been a big positive for this club this season with his rebounding and defense.

He’s built a team to maximize both of Philly’s stars in Embiid and Ben Simmons. He didn’t make knee-jerk moves and as a result the 76ers the top team in the Eastern Conference. Executives like Sean Marks of the Brooklyn Nets and Tim Connelly of the Denver Nuggets should get serious consideration, but how Morey saved the Sixers from themselves should earn him the EOY.

Next. Can Maxey be a top point guard in the NBA?. dark

Morey made solid decisions that led the Sixers from being a team without direction to a legit contender is why deserves the EOY award.