76ers let go of Daryl Morey, keep Nick Nurse as coach
Daryl Morey is out as president of basketball operations with the Philadelphia 76erswho’re opting to keep Nick Nurse as their coach.
Sixers managing companion Josh Harris made the announcement in an announcement Tuesday night time.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl personally and professionally, and I’m grateful for his contributions over the last six seasons,” Harris stated. “After speaking with Daryl, we determined that it was time for a fresh start.”
Bob Myers, the president of sports activities for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will lead the seek for the brand new head govt for the 76ers and can oversee the franchise’s basketball division within the interim. Myers is a four-time championship architect of the Golden State Warriors. The incumbent employees shall be evaluated by Myers after which the incoming prime basketball official.
“I know how much the 76ers mean to the City of Philadelphia, and it’s important we find the right leader to shape the future of this team,” Myers stated within the assertion. “The process will start immediately, and we will be thorough and deliberate in our evaluations. I believe this is a destination for top talent across the league and look forward to solidifying our infrastructure moving forward.”
Morey had led the 76ers basketball operations for the previous six seasons — with 5 playoff berths and a 270-212 file throughout that span. The 76ers haven’t superior past the second spherical of the playoffs underneath Morey and haven’t been to the convention finals since 2001.
Morey traded for James Harden — with whom he’d beforehand had success in Houston — forward of the 2022 deadline. However, the assembly was short-lived as the 76ers declined to supply Harden a long-term most contract in 2023. Philadelphia agreed to seek for a commerce upon Harden’s request after he agreed to select up his $35.6 million participant possibility that June, however the Sixers’ asking value was steep, and no groups have been keen or capable of meet it at first.
After commerce talks broke off, Harden blasted Morey throughout a promotional tour in China, telling a crowd, “Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
Harden ultimately reported to coaching camp that summer time however by no means suited up once more for the 76ers, and he was traded to the Clippers on Halloween, with Philadelphia touchdown LA’s unprotected first-round choose in 2028 and swap rights in 2029. Philadelphia nonetheless owes Brooklyn a top-eight-protected first-round choose within the 2027 draft from his unique acquisition of Harden.
Morey additionally signed Paul George and Joel Embiid to large contracts. George agreed to a four-year, $212 million most deal in summer time 2024; Embiid agreed to a three-year, $192.9 million contract later that yr.
George, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey They performed solely 43 video games collectively over the previous two seasons, together with the playoffs, proudly owning a 21-22 file. Additionally, George, Maxey and Embiid are owed $153 million subsequent season. Morey additionally dealt Jared McCain to the Thunder on the commerce deadline this season, and the third-year guard is now half of the OKC rotation.
Morey chosen guard VJ Edgecombe with the third choose within the 2025 NBA draft. Edgecombe completed third for Rookie of the Year this season behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.
Nurse, in the meantime, is 116-130 in three seasons, a file largely impacted by final yr’s 24-58 mark. Nurse twice led the Sixers to the playoffs, together with this season when Philadelphia overcame a 3-1 sequence deficit for the primary time to beat the Celtics within the opening spherical earlier than being swept by the Knicks.
“To our fans, your frustration and disappointment are understandable and warranted,” Harris stated. “We have fallen well short of our own expectations and failed to deliver in the way this city deserves. That bothers me deeply and I have confidence in Bob to establish a path forward for our franchise.”
