Daryl Morey’s post-trade assessment that “we sold high” when he sent Jared McCain to Oklahoma City in February continues to be mocked in Philadelphia, writes Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice. While Jake Fischer has reported that trade wasn’t the “proverbial last straw” for Morey in Philadelphia, the deal – combined with the failure to get another player to replace McCain in the rotation – may have factored into the executive’s dismissal this week as the Sixers‘ president of basketball operations.
The only return in that deal with the Thunder was a first-round pick originally belonging to Houston that wound up at No. 22 in this year’s draft. McCain’s roster spot was given to Cameron Payne, who had been playing in Serbia, but he was waived after suffering a hamstring strain in the final week of the season. Two-way player Dalen Terry was promoted to take his place and saw minimal playing time in the postseason.
Morey approached the deadline looking for “cost-effective role players with multiple years of control,” a source tells Aaronson, and his top target was Thunder shooting guard Aaron Wiggins. Morey was hoping to land Wiggins as part of the McCain deal, but Philadelphia would have needed to include multiple other players to make the trade work. OKC held onto Wiggins, and Aaronson notes that McCain has played a role in pushing him out of the Thunder’s rotation.
Aaronson also hears that Morey offered multiple second-round picks to the Bulls for Jalen Smith, but Chicago opted to keep him. Two other prime targets were Rockets forward Tari Eason and Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey, who both remained with their teams through the deadline. Aaronson’s source said the Sixers made attempts to land the Mavericks‘ Naji Marshall, the Timberwolves‘ Donte DiVincenzo, the Warriors‘ Brandin Podziemski and the Suns‘ Ryan Dunn as well. None of those players wound up being traded.
Morey liked the potential fit of Ayo Dosunmu, who has been a valuable contributor in Minnesota’s playoff run, according to Aaronson’s source, but didn’t prioritize him because of his expiring contract. Aaronson reports that the team also had some interest in Vit Krejci, who was sent from Atlanta to Portland four days prior to the deadline in exchange for two second-round picks. Philadelphia had numerous second-rounders to offer, but Morey reportedly didn’t want to commit to a deal with so much time remaining before the deadline.
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Morey’s relationship with star center Joel Embiid appeared to deteriorate throughout the season, Aaronson adds. Embiid expressed displeasure with management at the trade deadline and again when he was held out of a game in early April, and he refused to comment directly on Morey when asked about their relationship during the playoffs.
- Bob Myers, who will be leading the search to replace Morey, could probably have the job if he tells managing partner Josh Harris that he wants it, Aaronson suggests in a separate story. If Myers opts to remain in his current role as president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Aaronson identifies a few other candidates, including Elton Brand, who served as Morey’s top assistant, and Vince Rozman, who spent 16 years with the organization before joining OKC’s front office in 2022. Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey and Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, who were both finalists to run Chicago’s front office, are also on the list, along with Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep, Celtics assistant GM Dave Lewin and prominent agents Austin Brown and Alex Saratsis.
- In a mailbag column, Aaronson examines some options for the Sixers in free agency and explains why the team shouldn’t try to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tari, Naji or Bey would’ve been really good pick up, especially Tari. I’d happily give up McCain and seconds for him.
He’s exactly the type of player we needed, 3 and D combo forward who’s still young
You’re not getting Bey for McCain and a 2nd
Obviously not he’s not on the team anymore ….
Stop deflecting. You know damn well he wasn’t saying that you CURRENTLY can’t get Bey for McCain and a 2nd.
He was saying that there is no world in which that would have ever happened.
Morey approached the deadline looking for “cost-effective role players with multiple years of control,”
I’m confused. McCain fits that description. Still has two years left (team options) on his rookie contract and is a solid role player. Gives OKC yet another developing, young role player on the bench. Geez
McCain can’t play next to Maxey. Who lead the league in MPG for those keeping track.
A vet minimum PG is ideal for that cap/role behind a star PG (i.e. why they brought in Payne, who played a similar role behind Brunson). McCain was NOT actually any more effective than Payne this year.
Based on the cost-controlled WING players they were targeting, clearly the desire was a long-term replacement for Grimes/Oubre, who are both free agents.
I would be shocked if Myers wants to touch this mess as long term answer. I think he will search for a good fit. Let’s just hope it’s the right hire. The sixers track record of hiring key front office pieces isn’t very good.
Yep. Myers prefers messes he creates himself.
What do you mean? It hasn’t been that bad. There has been…*checks notes* damnit
Youi would have thought he would have asked for the best pick not #22 in the first round.
Vintage Morey. More concerned with getting a good deal (“selling high”) than with what his roster looks like afterwards.
In Morey’s early days, with HOU, he stood out among NBA chiefs as one more suited to be an accountant than a basketball decision maker. Today, with the proliferation of 2k’ers in NBA FO’s, he more fits in. So, it’s a bit ironic that his end comes now. Of course, he may be back.
I think the Knocks on Morey are too harsh. It sounds like he was targeting exactly what they needed at the deadline and got a 1st for a guy that was not fitting. Idk who is going to do better in Philly.
It should be Brand going forward imo
Morey always thought that championships are won with big-name stars. OKC has proven that assumption is wrong. Morey signed Paul George to a max deal when no one else would and anyone knew that was a mistake. Focus should be on drafting and developing young players on inexpensive contracts.
Was the point of trading McCain for only draft capital not just to duck the tax? And is that not something that comes from above Morey?
Not saying Morey was a genius but pretty solid drafts and 2 playoff series this year with Embiid and PG missing big stretches…
If you want to hold the Embiid extension over him you have to understand that the 6ers didn’t really have a choice. PG was a stupid contract but win now while Embiid is there and not in a wheelchair seems like the best approach they could’ve taken.
Really hope they can bring in a meaningful front court piece before Edgecombe signs his extension. That kid is 103% dog.