Daryl Morey, the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, wasted no time in making a significant impact in his first year. However, the team’s disappointing playoff exit highlighted the long road ahead. Things took an unexpected turn when Ben Simmons, a former Rookie of the Year and All-Star, expressed his desire to leave Philadelphia, leading to a challenging situation for Morey and the organization.
In this latest Sixers offseason recap, let’s delve into how Morey navigated through this adversity:
NBA Draft
Before addressing the Simmons issue, the Sixers had three draft picks to utilize. Their first-round pick, Jaden Springer from Tennessee, showed promise but was eventually traded to the Boston Celtics. The team also selected Filip Petrušev and Charles Bassey in the second round, with mixed results.
Free agency
Morey strategically handled free agency, bringing back familiar faces like Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz while making unexpected moves. Andre Drummond and Georges Niang were notable additions that contributed positively to the team.
Results
Morey’s decision not to trade Simmons for anything less than a superstar paid off when he orchestrated a blockbuster deal for James Harden. While it bolstered the team’s star power, the timing of the trade posed challenges during the playoffs, emphasizing the need for further roster improvements.
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