2. Al Horford trade
The 76ers signed Horford to a four-year contract worth more than $100 million before Morey arrived. The 6’9 big man was a five-time All-Star and a versatile weapon. Philadelphia had plans of playing next to Joel Embiid and creating a dominant frontcourt, but it never happened.
The Sixers had spacing issues with three of their starters being below average 3-point shooters. Horford was in his mid-30s and unable to guard primarily on the perimeter. He still averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 30.2 minutes per game, but it became clear things would not work in Philly.
Morey wasted no time after joining the 76ers. He packaged with Theo Maledon, Vasilje Micic, and a 2025 first-round pick to get Danny Green and two end-of-the-bench options from the Thunder. The Sixers' new president sold low on Horford, and it got worse when OKC got a first-round pick in return for him just one year later.
The fit was off in Philadelphia, but Daryl Morey did not even try to rehab Horford’s value. He quickly dumped his contract and cost himself a valuable first-round pick. Would Horford have played better with the 76ers in 2021? He certainly did for the Thunder.
Morey’s biggest blunder was reuniting with the superstar that gave him so much.