Well, it sure didn’t take Daryl Morey long to get back into the game.
That’s because after a pair of early-week meetings, Morey has agreed to a five-year contract to become the Philadelphia 76ers’ president of basketball operations, as reported by Keith Pompey and Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Morey, of course, stepped down as GM of the Houston Rockets a few weeks ago. A product of Medina Highland (Ohio) High School and MIT graduate, Morey has made a name for himself via basketball analytics.
Morey will become the 76ers’ top decision-maker on roster moves. GM Elton Brand and assistant GM Ned Cohen will remain with the team, per the Inquirer.
The Sixers recently hired Doc Rivers as coach, and while Morey and Rivers have each has been in the NBA for more than a decade, they have never before worked together in their current roles. They did, however, work together when Morey was an assistant GM with the Boston Celtics and Rivers was head coach.
“A league source said noted high-profile executives such as Morey and Toronto boss Masai Ujiri do not come available often, so managing partner Josh Harris scooped him up quickly the way he did with Rivers,” the Inquirer reported.
Morey, 48, began his career with the Rockets as an assistant general manager in 2006, after serving a stint in the Boston Celtics’ front office. He succeeded Carroll Dawson as Rockets GM in 2007.
The Rockets never had a losing season under Morey, compiling a 640-400 record during his reign. That was the second-best record (behind San Antonio) over the previous 13 seasons. They also have reached the playoffs eight straight seasons, the longest current such streak in the league.
