According to Shams Charania, multiple ESPN sources confirmed that Daryl Morey has officially stepped down as President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, ending a six-season tenure. Morey met with team owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, and the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.
Meanwhile, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse will remain at the helm for his fourth season with the team. Bob Myers, a four-time NBA champion who serves as President of Basketball Operations for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will lead the search for a new basketball executive and temporarily oversee the team’s basketball operations.
This marks Morey’s sixth season in charge of the 76ers. The McCain trade drew criticism, but objectively speaking, with the rise of Edgcombe, McCain was unlikely to secure a starting spot in Philadelphia. Trading a player destined for a bench role for a first-round pick was a reasonable move. The real criticism lies in the failure to acquire immediate-impact talent at the trade deadline. Despite Morey’s efforts to inquire about multiple wing and big men, a deal never materialized.
In September 2024, Morey signed Joel Embiid to a five-year, $192.9 million max extension, which runs through the 2028-29 season. This contract, combined with Paul George’s large deal, essentially locks in the team’s core for the next few years. The 76ers’ biggest future asset is their stockpile of draft picks, including the 22nd pick in this year’s draft. To truly upgrade the roster, player evaluation and salary cap management will be crucial.
Nurse has posted a 116-130 record over three seasons with the 76ers, drawing mixed reviews. This season saw ongoing friction between some players and the coaching staff. Sources revealed that on April 2, before a team practice, several players met with the coaching staff to voice concerns about player buy-in, dissatisfaction with the season’s direction, and a lack of control in the locker room. The tense meeting nearly led to the cancellation of practice, but after communication and compromise, the session proceeded as scheduled.
