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Daryl Morey’s future with the 76ers has reportedly become uncertain after Philadelphia’s disappointing playoff exit against the Knicks.
The Philadelphia 76ers may finally be nearing a dramatic front-office reset after another playoff disappointment, with longtime radio host Howard Eskin reporting Monday that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is “beyond life support” internally and could soon be fired.
“Changes are coming for Sixers after another disappointing season,” Eskin posted on X. “I’m told by sources Sixers organization having serious discussions to fire/replace Daryl Morey.”
Changes are coming for @Sixers after another disappointing season. I’m told by sources #Sixers organization having serious discussions to fire/replace Daryl Morey, President of Basketball Operations. His record since being hired by 76ers in 2020 has not been good enough to make
The report arrives days after Philadelphia’s season ended in a humiliating second-round sweep against the New York Knicks, capped by a 144-114 blowout loss in Game 4 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
According to Eskin, the organization believes Morey’s overall body of work since arriving in 2020 has not been good enough.
Morey was hired to build a championship contender around former MVP Joel Embiid.
Instead, Philadelphia has still not advanced beyond the second round during his six-year tenure.
This season briefly appeared different.
The Sixers rebounded from last year’s disastrous 24-58 campaign to finish 45-37 and upset the rival Boston Celtics in a seven-game first-round series.
Embiid dominated stretches of that series, Tyrese Maxey played at an All-NBA level and Paul George provided versatility on both ends.
Inside the locker room after the Game 7 win over Boston, Morey reportedly greeted nearly every player with handshakes and encouragement, according to The Athletic.
But the momentum quickly disappeared against New York.
Forced into an every-other-day schedule, Embiid’s body again broke down physically, Maxey became less effective and the Sixers’ lack of depth and shooting was brutally exposed.
“The 76ers, as currently constructed, are not title contenders,” The Athletic’s Tony Jones wrote.
GettyJoel Embiid is frustrated with the Philadelphia 76ers front office led by Daryl Morey, according to a report from The Athletic.
The pressure on Morey grew throughout a turbulent season filled with injuries, locker-room frustrations and tension between players and management.
Embiid played only 38 games because of another injury-riddled season.
George missed 25 games because of a suspension tied to a banned substance.
According to The Athletic, frustrations boiled over before the February trade deadline when Embiid pushed the front office to make win-now moves instead of “ducking the luxury tax.”
Embiid and several players were also reportedly unhappy after Philadelphia traded guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder without acquiring immediate help in return.
Tensions escalated further late in the season.
On April 1, after Embiid was ruled out against the Washington Wizards despite reportedly wanting to play, he posted on social media: “I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!”
I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!
Days later, Embiid publicly called out Morey by name.
“I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball,” Embiid said. “I think this is more of a question for Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions.”
The fallout may not stop with Morey.
The Athletic reported that coach Nick Nurse is also expected to be evaluated this offseason after internal frustrations surfaced throughout the year.
Players reportedly confronted members of the coaching staff during a tense late-season meeting that nearly derailed a team shootaround.
Despite the dysfunction, Nurse still guided Philadelphia to 45 wins and a playoff series victory over Boston.
But the Knicks series exposed major flaws.
Philadelphia struggled with rebounding, perimeter shooting, roster depth and overall physicality. Meanwhile, the Knicks overwhelmed the Sixers with energy and depth throughout the four-game sweep.
“We just gotta get better from top to bottom,” Embiid said after Sunday’s elimination loss. “Ownership, players, coaches, everybody just has to get better.”
Now, the biggest question facing Philadelphia may be whether ownership believes Morey is still the right executive to fix it.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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