With the Philadelphia 76ers set to finish the year with their worst record since the 2016-17 season (28-54), fans have taken out their disappointment and anger on Daryl Morey. He was the executive largely responsible for retooling Philadelphia’s roster this past offseason and his vision – needless to say – hasn’t panned out as anyone had hoped.
Marcus Morris Sr. didn't hold back on Daryl Morey
NBA veteran forward Marcus Morris Sr. appeared on Yahoo Sports basketball analyst Kevin O’Conner’s show “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and added further fuel to the ever-building fire. When O’Connor asked Morris his thoughts about Morey’s reported use of artificial intelligence for decisions regarding the 76ers, he didn’t hold back in his response:
“I don't trust Daryl Morey,” Morris said. “I think he's thinking too far ahead of the way basketball needs to be played. He's trying to do a whole new team, he's trying to bring guys in, he's flipping them in and out. Does he even understand the dynamic of being in Philadelphia, what guys you need to play in Philadelphia? Understand how the team needs to gel first before you start talking about A.I.”
Morris proceeded to further critique Morey’s tenure as Philadelphia’s President of Basketball Operations, especially surrounding his feud with James Harden that led to him getting traded to the LA Clippers in October 2023. The veteran also went back even further to point out Morey’s shortcomings as the general manager of the Houston Rockets from 2007-2020.
Marcus Morris Sr.'s time with the 76ers
After playing 12 seasons in the NBA, Morris – who turned 35 years old in September – remains a free agent who hasn’t played for any team this season. Ironically, Morris was included in LA’s package to Philadelphia in exchange for Harden. Morris appeared in 37 games for the 76ers last season where he averaged 6.7 points on 43.9% shooting from the field.
As has been the case for his entire career, Morris provided value beyond the stat-sheet – being an essential presence in the locker room and doing the dirty work on the floor. Still, Morris was included in a three-team trade between the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs that ultimately sent Morris to San Antonio and Buddy Hield to Philadelphia, which he frustratingly brought up on air with O’Connor.
A short time after, Morris was waived by the Spurs and played out the remainder of the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers – who fell to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference SemiFinals. Once the season concluded and the 76ers made their big splashes in free agency, many fans called for them to retain Morris since they lacked power forward depth. Morris told O’Connor he was willing to return to Philadelphia, but it never came to be.