Daryl Morey’s ego was bound to get in his way at some point.
Morey quit on the Houston Rockets and joined the Philadelphia 76ers inheriting Ben Simmons and all that comes with inheriting Ben Simmons.
When Simmons came up small in a big moment of last season’s playoffs against the Hawks his coach and teammates refused to run and protect him. In many ways, I couldn’t blame them.
But the consequence of that was Simmons wanting out of Philadelphia.
Simmons being vocal about wanting out put Morey’s ego in a bad situation. Morey prides himself on exploiting other GMs when he knows they are in a position of weakness. Now the table was turn.
Morey did everything he could to try to show strength. He told teams if they wanted Simmons they would have to trade a package that was worthy of something more than Simmons was. He fined Simmons time and time again and let the world know that if he didn’t get what he wanted, that he was willing to let Simmons sit out.
Of course, while he’s saying all of this, if you’re Joel Embiid you had to wonder why Morey’s ego was more important than his own prime years. Morey’s willingness to hurt the one true superstar on his team showed how self-absorbed he is and always had been.
Well… until yesterday. As Morey tried to save face by saying he got the guy he wanted, it was the 76ers who had to give up a ransom to get another team’s disgruntled player.
Brooklyn receives:
Ben Simmons
Seth Curry
Andre Drummond
2022 first-round pick (unprotected)
2027 first-round pick (protected)
Philadelphia receives:
James Harden
Paul Millsap
The only way this is a winning deal for the 76ers is if they win a title. Had Morey not let his ego get in the way, he could’ve had packages that would’ve included supporting players and picks for Simmons. Instead, he was the guy who had to give that up to help a team that he might have to beat in the playoffs.
If the Nets and 76ers meeting in the NBA Playoffs, how much pressure is on Morey to win it? If not, his fragile ego will take a hit harder than Tyson Fury knocking out Deontay Wilder.
The whole Simmons/Morey saga has made Embiid and his legacy a victim. There’s a risk if this doesn’t work. Embiid could finish his Hall of Fame career with no title because others decided that their ego was more important.
That might be the only thing Morey doesn’t want to bark about.
