Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey out after six seasons in 2026

Daryl Morey is no longer the Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations after six seasons.

76ers leadership change announced Daryl Morey is no longer serving as the president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, with the decision confirmed following a meeting between Morey and team owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The separation was finalized during the gathering in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. Nick Nurse will remain as head coach for a fourth consecutive season with the franchise. Bob Myers, who holds the title of president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will oversee the search for a new top basketball executive and manage the team's basketball operations temporarily. ## Morey's tenure and team performance Daryl Morey led the Philadelphia 76ers basketball operations for six seasons, guiding the team to five playoff appearances during that time. The team compiled a regular-season record of 270 wins and 212 losses under his leadership. Despite those accomplishments, the 76ers failed to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs in any of those seasons. Philadelphia last reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. ## James Harden trade saga unfolds Prior to the 2022 trade deadline, Morey orchestrated a trade to bring James Harden to Philadelphia, a move that echoed their successful partnership in Houston. The reunion was brief, as the Sixers opted against presenting Harden with a long-term maximum contract in 2023. Following Harden's decision to exercise his $35.6 million player option in June, the Sixers agreed to explore trade options at his request, but their asking price proved prohibitive for potential suitors at the time. ## Harden's public criticism and departure After negotiations stalled, James Harden publicly criticized Morey during a promotional tour in China. Harden told an audience, "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." Despite returning for training camp that summer, Harden never played another game for the Sixers and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on October 31. Philadelphia received the Clippers' unprotected first-round pick in 2028 and swap rights in 2029 as part of the deal. The team still owes Brooklyn a top-eight protected first-round pick in the 2027 draft stemming from the original Harden acquisition. ## Major contracts and roster moves Daryl Morey signed Paul George to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract in the summer of 2024. That same year, Joel Embiid agreed to a three-year, $192.9 million deal with the Sixers. The trio of George, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey has logged just 43 games together over the past two seasons, including playoffs, posting a 21-22 record. The three players are collectively owed $153 million for the upcoming season. Morey also dealt Jared McCain at the trade deadline this season; McCain now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. ## Draft selection and rookie performance In the 2025 NBA Draft, Morey selected guard VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick. Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting this season, trailing only Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. ## Nick Nurse's coaching record with 76ers Nick Nurse enters his fourth season as head coach with a career record of 116 wins and 130 losses in Philadelphia. His tenure has been notably impacted by a 24-58 mark from last season. Nurse has led the Sixers to the playoffs twice, including this year when Philadelphia completed a historic comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics in the first round after trailing 3-1 in the series.