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Daryl Morey on Quentin Grimes: 'We hope to work things out'
Morey referred to an eventual solution with Grimes as the last piece of business the Sixers needed to get settled this summer. He was not willing to divulge many details about the team's ongoing negotiations with Grimes, other than... negotiations remain ongoing. "We hope to work things out," Morey said. "I don't have more detail."
Kendrick Perkins: Then the Rockets reach out. Daryl Morey calls me: “Hey Perk, James [Harden] wants you on the bench. We got a vet minimum for you in Houston, your hometown.” I turned it down because I’d already given my word to Dell. Thought it was the right thing to do. Then they sign Nene. As soon as I turned it down, next thing I know—they sign Nene. Summer goes on. I’m watching other guys sign deals. I don’t hear from Dell Demps. I contact him in August: “Hey D, what we doing?” He calls me and says, “Yeah, after rethinking some things, we think it’s best to let the young guys roll and not bring you back.” I’m like, “What the f***?” I cussed his ass out on the phone. Hung up. Truth is—I had no more options. That year, I was out of the league. No job. You possibly cost me a championship. I turned down actual offers. The Rockets contacted me the first week of free agency: “We got a vet minimum for you. Stay in Houston.” Next year? Nothing. No job.
Trendon Watford signs with Philadelphia
Keith Pompey: The #Sixers have signed Trendon Watford to his two-year, $5.3 million contract. Here’s what Daryl Morey had to say about the power forward: “Trendon is a young, dynamic player with a unique skillset who fits nicely with what we’re trying to accomplish on both sides of the ball. His size and versatility allow him to guard multiple positions, while his handle and passing showcase his playmaking ability. He is a valued addition to our roster and I’m excited to welcome him to Philadelphia.”
Michael Scotto: Update: Philadelphia 76ers have a second-year team option on their two-year deal with Trendon Watford, sources told @hoopshype Daryl Morey: “Trendon is a young, dynamic player with a unique skillset who fits nicely with what we’re trying to accomplish on both sides of the ball.”
Adam Aaronson: Daryl Morey says Nick Nurse has been “unbelievable” during this process, mentioning Nurse’s experience running teams before he was an NBA head coach. Says all of Maxey/George/Embiid wanted to come to Edgecombe’s workout, but only Maxey could get to it. Says Maxey/VJ got along.
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Daryl Morey: 'We'll have one of the best backcourts in the league'
Adam Aaronson: Morey: “I think we’ll have one of the best backcourts in the league.” Mentions the recent trend of multi-guard lineups thriving in the playoffs, but highlights the importance of Joel Embiid being available to protect the rim for a team that plays those (smaller) guards.
Austin Krell: Joel Embiid is "very engaged" and attacking rehab. He had a meeting with Dr. Glashow this week and everything is going as expected. He's on track to be ready right around camp, Morey says.
Adam Aaronson: Morey: “We’re super excited about VJ… dynamic athlete, potential All-Star, two-way player… He’s got all these winning qualities we think really fit. Great teammate.”
Sources I’ve spoken to insist the Sixers could still go with Bailey. According to one agent: “[Daryl] Morey doesn’t care about all that noise. If he wants Ace, then that’s exactly who he’s going to take.” But not every agent shares that optimism. One who represents a projected lottery pick didn’t mince words: “Ace is f****ing the draft order up.”
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Marcus Morris on Daryl Morey: ‘He hasn't failed them as far as getting names, getting the buzz going, as I would say. The Sixers with James Harden were a game away from getting to where they wanted to be at, right? Like, getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. And that was a really good team. The knock I have on Daryl Morey is the consistency of a president—keeping a core together, making sure guys get their money. It's not just like a circus. Like, when I say circus, you're bringing in different acts. You're not even allowing certain acts to actually gel.‘
Daryl Morey recently sat inside Philadelphia Theatre Company’s rehearsal space and openly laughed. Even though he had seen the material being presented numerous times during the last decade-plus. He was watching the musical Small Ball, a passion project the 76ers’ president of basketball operations has helped shepherd through a lengthy development process. Now, he is commissioning and co-producing a full production at PTC, anchored by a cast and creative team with Broadway and off-Broadway credits alongside standouts from Philly’s theater scene. The show begins performances at Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Friday, before a June 11 opening night. “It’s pretty magical,” Morey told The Inquirer on Saturday morning, before heading to the Sixers’ practice facility for draft and free-agency meetings. “I was just lucky that my first time — and, really, only time — [doing this], we hit on a draft pick. … I laugh off my [behind] every time I come. “The cast, when I came once, was like, ‘I can’t believe you’re the one laughing. You’ve seen it the most.’”
76ers to listen offers for No. 3 pick
The prospect of Daryl Morey, Philadelphia's president of basketball operations, selecting either — or maybe even Texas guard Tre Johnson over Bailey and Edgecombe — should generate significant inbound trade interest in that draft slot. League sources tell The Stein Line that the Sixers are expected to at least listen to trade-down opportunities ... but likewise stress that they are not expected to trade out of the pick entirely.
The scout believes that after Flagg and Harper, the next three or four guys are basically the same. If he were Morey, the scout said he would see if the Charlotte Hornets (with the fourth pick) or Utah Jazz (fifth) want to move up.
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