Former Houston Rockets general manager, Daryl Morey, is in advanced talks to finalize a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers to become the team’s next president of basketball operations, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported on Wednesday.
An official announcement from the Sixers could come as early as next week, per Wojnarowski.
Morey has long been on Philadelphia’s radar, turning down an opportunity to work with the team two years ago to remain with Houston. But after the Rockets’ postseason exit in the Orlando bubble in the Western Conference semifinals to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, he and owner Tilman Fertitta split on amicable terms.
Per Wojnarowski, the Sixers approached Morey soon after and talks hit a fever pitch this week when the 48-year-old met with ownership.
General manager Elton Brand is expected to keep his position with the 76ers while new head coach Doc Rivers has voiced his support of the move to bring Morey on.
Morey had been the Rockets’ general manager since 2007, building one of the more consistent contenders in the Western Conference over the last 13 years, making the postseason in each of the last eight seasons. However, they were never able to get over the top and get to a Finals.
Regardless, Morey is no stranger to making big splashes, acquiring the likes of James Harden, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook during his tenure in Houston. Such a track record could provide the promise of new ideologies to a 76ers team that has the pieces to compete in the East but has grown stale quickly as they’ve failed to meet true expectations as an elite team in the conference.
