Sixers move on from Daryl Morey, begin search for new lead exec

The Sixers are making a change at the top.

Philadelphia announced Thursday night that Daryl Morey is out as president of basketball operations after six seasons. Coach Nick Nurse will remain in place.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Daryl,” managing partner Josh Harris said. “After speaking with him, we determined it was time for a fresh start.”

That’s the direction now.

Bob Myers will lead the search for a replacement and oversee basketball operations in the interim. The former Warriors executive said the process will begin immediately.

“I believe this is a destination for top talent,” Myers said. “We’ll be thorough and deliberate.”

Morey’s tenure brought regular-season success. The Sixers made the playoffs five times and went 270-212. The deeper runs never followed. Philadelphia hasn’t reached the conference finals since 2001.

There were swings. The James Harden trade. The Paul George signing. Extensions for Joel Embiid. Results were uneven.

The trio of Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey played just 43 games together over two seasons and went 21-22.

Nurse, meanwhile, is 116-130 in three years. He guided the Sixers past Boston in the first round this spring before a second-round sweep.

“To our fans, your frustration is warranted,” Harris said. “We’ve fallen well short.”