Soon after getting swept by the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers made a major move by firing team president Daryl Morey. The rest of the front office remains the same, including head coach Nick Nurse, who retained his position.
However, the decision to part ways with Morey prompted analyst Kevin O’Connor to criticize the team’s ownership.
NBA Analyst Tears Into 76ers After Daryl Morey Departure
The 76ers reached the Eastern Conference semifinals but were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks. They missed the playoffs last season and fell in the first round in 2024, but reached the semifinals in four other seasons under Morey’s tenure.
O’Connor minced no words, calling out the 76ers’ owners for their decision.
“Morey out, Nurse stays. Makes no sense to fire the front office but keep the coach. Any new GM will want to hire their own head coach. But this is Josh Harris, one of the NBA’s worst owners. He’s the reason why Philly always ducked the tax. Not Morey. But you can’t fire an owner.”
Morey out, Nurse stays. Makes no sense to fire the front office but keep the coach. Any new GM will want to hire their own head coach. But this is Josh Harris, one of the NBA’s worst owners. He’s the reason why Philly always ducked the tax. Not Morey. But you can’t fire an owner. https://t.co/2zBAwtHxKm
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 13, 2026
Morey was the key figure behind the current roster, headlined by the big four of Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
Under his run, the 76ers have a 270-212 regular-season record, but their postseason record is just 28-26.
Earlier, Harris’ statement signaled a change was coming. “To our fans, your frustration and disappointment are understandable and warranted,” he said in a statement, per The Athletic.
“We have fallen well short of our own expectations and failed to deliver in the way this city deserves. That bothers me deeply, and I have confidence in Bob to establish a path forward for our franchise.”
As for Nurse, it was not an easy run with the side with a 116-130 regular season record. Injuries to his mainstays, Joel Embiid and Paul George, have played a major role in the team’s run.
For now, it appears he will be the team’s head coach for the near future.
In the interim, Bob Myers, the former general manager of the Golden State Warriors, will manage the department in Morey’s absence until a new hire is made.
The 76ers finished their regular season as the seventh seed with a 45-37 record.
While they pushed past the Boston Celtics in the first round, their lack of depth, coupled with sputtering two-way play, saw their charge come to a halt against the Knicks.
