These NBA teams didn't impress 76ers' Daryl Morey
Following the conclusion of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, the Eastern Conference landscape shifted dramatically—at least, that is the consensus among most league observers. However, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey remains defiantly unimpressed by the arms race occurring around his team.
Addressing the media after a deadline where the 76ers were sellers rather than buyers, Morey offered a blunt assessment of his competition. Despite seeing rival franchises swing for fences, Morey dismissed the notion that the hierarchy of the East had fundamentally changed.
"Folks have speculated on the improvements of our East competitors. I don't see it, personally," Morey told reporters on Friday. "I think all the teams made moves at the deadline, but there weren't any needle movers, in my opinion."
This bold declaration comes in the wake of significant movement, most notably the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring former 76er James Harden to pair with Donovan Mitchell. While the rest of the league views the Cavaliers' acquisition as a major power shift, Morey appears skeptical that the addition of his former star guard elevates Cleveland past Philadelphia. Furthermore, the Washington Wizards shocked the league by landing Anthony Davis, and the Boston Celtics bolstered their frontcourt with Nikola Vucevic. Yet, in Morey’s eyes, none of these transactions pose an existential threat to a healthy 76ers squad.
Morey’s confidence puts significant pressure on his own roster, which saw the departure of second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for draft capital. By standing pat on major additions and trading away a young rotation piece, Morey is doubling down on his "untouchable" core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and rookie sensation V.J. Edgecombe.
The executive’s strategy is a high-stakes gamble. By publicly downplaying the aggressive acquisitions of the Cavaliers and Celtics, Morey has set the stage for a postseason where anything short of a Finals appearance will be viewed as a failure of inaction. For now, he remains convinced that the "needle" in the Eastern Conference hasn't moved enough to prick the 76ers' championship balloon.
Addressing the media after a deadline where the 76ers were sellers rather than buyers, Morey offered a blunt assessment of his competition. Despite seeing rival franchises swing for fences, Morey dismissed the notion that the hierarchy of the East had fundamentally changed.
"Folks have speculated on the improvements of our East competitors. I don't see it, personally," Morey told reporters on Friday. "I think all the teams made moves at the deadline, but there weren't any needle movers, in my opinion."
This bold declaration comes in the wake of significant movement, most notably the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring former 76er James Harden to pair with Donovan Mitchell. While the rest of the league views the Cavaliers' acquisition as a major power shift, Morey appears skeptical that the addition of his former star guard elevates Cleveland past Philadelphia. Furthermore, the Washington Wizards shocked the league by landing Anthony Davis, and the Boston Celtics bolstered their frontcourt with Nikola Vucevic. Yet, in Morey’s eyes, none of these transactions pose an existential threat to a healthy 76ers squad.
Morey’s confidence puts significant pressure on his own roster, which saw the departure of second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for draft capital. By standing pat on major additions and trading away a young rotation piece, Morey is doubling down on his "untouchable" core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and rookie sensation V.J. Edgecombe.
The executive’s strategy is a high-stakes gamble. By publicly downplaying the aggressive acquisitions of the Cavaliers and Celtics, Morey has set the stage for a postseason where anything short of a Finals appearance will be viewed as a failure of inaction. For now, he remains convinced that the "needle" in the Eastern Conference hasn't moved enough to prick the 76ers' championship balloon.
