The Philadelphia 76ers went all-in on a third star this summer. It was a bold play, but Daryl Morey convinced Paul George to join his team. The Sixers looked like title contenders on paper, but things have not gone as planned. They were 3-14 before winning four of their last five games. Joel Embiid’s injury situation is scary, and the 76ers may not be championship challengers.
Morey has been a lead executive in the NBA since 2007. He twice helped the Rockets reach the conference finals with James Harden, but they could never get over the hump. Morey joined the Sixers in 2020 and has led them to four straight playoff appearances. The franchise wants to break through and win a championship. They are relying on Morey to build that roster.
The Athletic had executives rank the NBA’s front offices (subscription required), and Morey’s 76ers did not make the top ten. The piece featured a stinging quote that the Sixers president must take to heart.
Daryl Morey must stop using players as commodities for the 76ers to take next step
One anonymous executive shared this in The Athletic’s article.
“Daryl has balls, but he’s trading stocks from a desk. I don’t think what he does can win at the highest levels.”
Despite the 76ers' early struggles, Morey’s team has won 61.4 percent of their regular season games with him in charge. They are 74-72 in the postseason with 14 playoff trips in 17 seasons. There is no questioning his ability to win, but Morey has struggled at the highest levels.
Look at his track record. He is always chasing the next star. He cares more about talent than fit and is always tinkering. The last five NBA champions featured continuity at the top of their roster. Fans could argue Jrue Holiday joining the Bucks and Celtics, but both teams had two established stars ahead of him with years of playing together. Morey’s teams rarely do because he is always changing the pieces.
Morey is already eyeing deadline moves and signed KJ Martin to trade him. It is not just star players. Morey loves making trades and will keep trying to upgrade his roster. It is not a bad idea, but it has not worked.
The 76ers Big 3 is locked in long-term. This is Morey’s chance to finally change the narrative. The injury histories for Embiid and Paul George are worrying, but things could come together. It will take patience from Morey and his front office. Give the roster and coaching staff more time to figure it out before making another massive change.
A championship is the only thing Daryl Morey is missing from his legendary resume. Can he finally win it in Philadelphia and make The Process era worth it for the Sixers? Morey must be willing to adapt and change, especially under the NBA’s new apron restrictions. It won’t be easy, but the best things rarely are.