Former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is close to joining the Sixers to oversee basketball operations, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Morey will sign a five-year deal by this weekend, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Elton Brand will likely remain as GM after Morey joins the organization, Wojnarowski adds (Twitter link). Morey and Brand will serve as a “1-2 punch” in the front office, sources tell David Aldridge of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Morey spent 14 years in Houston before parting ways with the franchise two weeks ago. Negotiations with Philadelphia began shortly after he left the Rockets and escalated in the past few days, according to Wojnarowski. Morey will become the team’s new president, and he has a strong relationship and history with new coach Doc Rivers (Twitter link).
In Houston, Morey developed a reputation as a financial innovator and a risk taker who was known for constantly pursuing star players. He helped to revolutionize the Rockets as a small-ball team that relied heavily on shooting three-pointers.
Morey will try to rebuild the roster in Philadelphia around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but he will face immediate challenges, points out Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). The Sixers have $120MM committed next season to four players: Embiid, Simmons, Tobias Harris and Al Horford. Morey will likely try to make a big move or two and will have picks No. 21, 34, 36, 49 and 58 to offer in this year’s draft.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta recently said he expected Morey to eventually wind up with an East Coast team, though he may not have anticipated it happening so quickly.
Philadelphia received permission to talk to Morey two years ago and reportedly made an offer, but he elected to remain in Houston.
TRUST THE PROCESS
TRUST THE PROCESS
Hilarious, but smart. Leaves the dumpster fire that is Houston to go to a team that actually has talent and picks. Not to mention more cap room than the Rockets will see in 5-10 years.
Lol Morey is responsible for the “dumpster fire that is houston.”
True. I just wanted to beat mvp to the comment board. According to him Morey is a god lol
Step 1, hire Morey. Step 2, BRING BACK HINKIE!!!!
That soul-searching family vacation sure went fast.
man I love it absolutely love it I said it a couple weeks ago soon as it was released that he was not going to be going back to Houston I sit there and said the sixers need to jump on it. then it seemed like the rumors were that he was going to take off a year or two a basketball and I gave up on it but then listen to Philly sports talk earlier than I hear he’s an advanced talks and he’s probably going to sign by this weekend gave me a little smile for the sixers for the first time in a few years
Harden is going to sixers. Now if your rockets do you push for embiid or just take simmons and picks?
Assuming you’re right, which I am not on board with, they have to keep Embiid. Harden and Simmons is another Harden and Russ scenario, and we all know how that worked out.
If I’m starting a team from scratch for longevity, I’d take Simmons over Embiid every time.
Big man is perpetually out of shape and cops one hell of an attitude considering his health and, uhm, accomplishments.
Great hiring by Philly. Would like to see dary fix some of the bad moves that Eton Brand have made by getting rid of Al Horford contract and trading for better shooters in order to space the floor for ben Simmons and Joel Embild.
Great hiring by Philly. Would like to see dary fix some of the bad moves that Eton Brand have made by getting rid of Al Horford contract and trading for better shooters in order to space the floor for ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Harden Westbrook MVPs said Morey would not leave Houston to go to Philly LOL
What happens if Harden or Westbrook are traded to Philly and NYK respectively? Going to be some name changing on here? House-CovidThot-RoCo MVP
Where’s Sillivan?
trade trade trade
Cavs could be a trading partner
Morey should move on from Harden or else be too attached “in the public’s eye”
It would never happen in the real world, but Simmons, Harris, Horford, and a few picks for Harden and Westbrook would probably be really helpful for both teams. Harden and Westbrook could form a trio with a true big man and probably be the best team in the East. Houston would remain competitive and get some much needed draft picks. Plus, Ben Simmons could reach his superstar potential without the pressure of the overall #1 pick and being the unquestioned #1 option on a team.
It really does make sense. Too bad it would never happen.
Congrats philly.
The Bucks seem content to have their low-rent GM work for the Head Coach.
Pfft. Our low-rent GM taught Giannis how to drive.
So, obviously, Giannis is staying forever… thanks to the low-rent GM who hasn’t done anything overly dumb… [insert Brogdon debate here]
3 years of Harden and Westbrook vs 5 years of Simmons and 4 years of Harris and whomever they trade for using Horfords contract.
Two volume scorers, matched with Embiid? Harden would fit best. If they didn’t have to include any picks, then they still have the ability to trade Westbrook for better fitting pieces.
I don’t love it but don’t hate it. Zero front court depth behind Embiid. Would have to convince dudes to take vet min deals.
David Aldridge isn’t with TNT anymore. He is with The Athletics.
Thanks, that’s been fixed.