Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN Analyst Calls For Daryl Morey to Be Fired After Nightmare 2024-25 Campaign 4 Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Sports personality Stephen A. Smith arrives before the CFP National Championship college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN Analyst Calls For Daryl Morey to Be Fired After Nightmare 2024-25 Campaign

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 10:57 AM ET

Stephen A. Smith ripped Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey to shreds as the franchise concluded their forgettable 2024-25 campaign. The long-time ESPN analyst urged the front office to keep head coach Nick Nurse and fire Morey because of his inability to turn the team into a viable contender.

After going 47-35 last season, the Philadelphia 76ers finished this year with a 24-58 record, and they don’t have much flexibility to retool their roster this summer.

“Morey, and it’s hard for me to say because I like him personally, it’s a travesty. Nick Nurse is not the issue, that man can coach, give him something to work with. With the decisions Daryl Morey has made there is no excuse for him to be retained, that is the bottom line and I would tell him that to his face,” Smith said on First Take.

Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN Analyst Calls For Daryl Morey to Be Fired After Nightmare 2024-25 Campaign 5 Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers resident of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey speaks with the media before a game against the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

“The bottom line is also that he shouldn’t have been there to begin with because Elton Brand could’ve handled that job. He should’ve been reassigned or re-positioned to a lower level. Elton Brand could’ve done that job. Philadelphia, I don’t know what the hell is going on with them,” he concluded.

Philadelphia 76ers plan to run it back

The first year of the Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George trio was a massive disappointment. They only played and finished 15 games together and notched a 7-8 record, as they missed time due to injuries. Giving up is not an option for the star trio, as they plan to run it back with a healthier squad next season.

Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN Analyst Calls For Daryl Morey to Be Fired After Nightmare 2024-25 Campaign 6 Feb 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talk in the final minute of the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

“We’ve already talked about seeing each other, where we’re going to be this summer. So we’ve already had those conversations about connecting once the season’s over. I think it’s very important. I don’t think it’s healthy to go two, three months before seeing each other, regardless of if we’re checking in over the phone,” George said via Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin.

“It’s just different seeing each other. It doesn’t even have to be basketball-wise. Just breaking bread, being together. I think that has a ton of value and it’s very important,” he reiterated.