Rockets’ Daryl Morey Rejects Sixers’ Offer To Become New GM

On Monday, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey turned down an offer for the same role with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Daryl Morey Turns Down Sixers’ GM Offer

The Sixers had reportedly been heavily pursuing Morey to succeed Bryan Colangelo, who was fired in June amid an investigation into unauthorized Twitter accounts he and his wife were both linked to. Several 76ers players were criticized in tweets from those accounts.

Last month, 45-year-old Morey was named the NBA Executive of the Year following the Rockets’ 65 victories last season that saw them finish first in the Western Conference.

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Morey has been with Houston for 12 years. Last summer, he signed a five-year extension with the franchise. In September 2017, Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta bought the Rockets for an NBA-record $2.2 billion. Morey is also reportedly good friends with former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie. When Morey helped the Rockets acquire Chris Paul in 2017 via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston established its place as a franchise poised for greater success. Veteran guard James Harden also won his first NBA MVP Award last month.

Sixers coach Brett Brown is still working as the franchise’s interim general manager as the search for a permanent replacement continues.

The Sixers finished last season 52-30 and third in the Eastern Conference. They reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Boston Celtics 4-2. Philadelphia’s first-round victory over the Miami Heat marked their first postseason series victory since the 2011-12 season.

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Philadelphia had been rumored to sign San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard in free agency this year, but no deal between the two has yet been reached.