The Philadelphia 76ers needed a plan amidst the James Harden drama in the 2023 offseason. The superstar wanted out, but the franchise wanted to contend. How could Philly accomplish both? The situation was complicated by the Clippers being the only serious bidder for the former MVP. Morey was walking a tightrope and falling off likely meant losing Joel Embiid too.
The Sixers president of basketball operations devised a plan, but making everything fall into place still seemed impossible. Morey got a strong package in return for Harden and kept the team’s cap sheet clean heading into the offseason. This was the 76ers' only shot as Tyrese Maxey was in line for a massive raise after his All-Star breakout. Morey dreamed of adding a star but needed to fill out his roster too.
Marquee players rarely change teams in free agency. In recent years, most have secured a massive contract before requesting a trade. Jalen Brunson went to the Knicks, but he was not an All-Star before leaving Dallas. Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving were the last superstars to do it in 2019. Morey signed Paul George to a max contract and quickly put together one of the best rosters in the league.
Daryl Morey improbably built 76ers into a title contender this offseason
Morey got lucky. George wanted to re-sign with the Clippers, but LA was unwilling to pay deep into the tax to keep him. It opened a door, and the Sixers president rarely misses a chance at adding a marquee talent.
Convincing a superstar to change teams in free agency for the first time in five years was just one piece of this puzzle. After signing George, the 76ers had three stars, but their roster was virtually bare. Morey now had to put pieces around his best players to make the team a title challenger with limited cap space.
The Sixers front office found a way. They kept Kelly Oubre Jr. and gave him a raise over last season. Getting Caleb Martin to leave Miami was massive. Convincing Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Kyle Lowry to take less to play in Philly were each crucial wins. Reggie Jackson was a nice depth signing and drafting Jarred McCain gives them another potential option.
Morey pulled off one last heist by convincing Guerschon Yabusele to join their roster on a minimum contract after his incredible performance with France in the Olympics.
The Sixers have depth and a versatile roster to play different styles in the playoffs. Convincing Tyrese Maxey to go into restricted free agency was another massive move by Morey. The young guard could have been upset by that notion, but Philly communicated he was a piece of their core. This request freed the space to add Paul George and make the 76ers a true title contender.
The Philadelphia 76ers had a ton go right this offseason, but they will need more fortune to win a championship. Daryl Morey put them in position. It is all about staying healthy and getting a few bounces in the playoffs. Only time will tell how it all shakes out, but credit to the Sixers president for getting them this far.