Morey: Master plan hit a snag at the deadline, but Sixers can still make a deep playoff run

According to Sixers' president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, the Sixers did indeed have a plan and even completed the first phase of the plan when it came to the trade deadline. 

But ultimately, the closing of it never came to fruition as Thursday's deadline came and went without the Sixers adding any help to the current team and maybe a little for the future of the club.

On Friday, Morey met with reporters at the team's practice facility and tried to explain why the team dealt popular guard Jared McCain on Wednesday for Houston's first round pick in 2026 and three seconds, then did nothing else to help the club this season.

"Because we're playing well, we were trying to upgrade the team and add to the team now," he said. "That was goal number one. Obviously, no deal materialized, including using the picks we got from the Jared deal. We were trying to. That's why we did that move a little early. We were trying to reuse those draft picks to add now. We do feel like this deal sets us up better in the future. We were looking to add now and nothing materialized. 

"I do want folks to know that this team, we think, can make a deep playoff run as one of the top few teams in the East. We feel like that's still the case going forward. We were very careful to make sure that the core parts of the rotation were intact."

Daryl Morey: "The big move was with Jared. Because we're playing well, we were trying to upgrade the team and add to the team now."

"We understand that we were looking to add now and nothing materialized." pic.twitter.com/rTVDk7T1Nt

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) February 6, 2026

It leads to the question of whether the team is in "win now" mode, building for the future, or has to say both because nothing really got done with this deadline passing. They will now have to try to advance in the Eastern Conference standings without trade help and the services of Paul George, who is suspended until late March.

"We have some close to untouchable players as you might have in this league in Tyrese (Maxey) and Joel (Embiid) VJ (Edgecombe), (and) Paul," said Morey. "We like our core. We really think it's a very good core. Obviously, we need to prove that on the court, and I think lately we have been proving it to a higher level. 

"I think it's 100 percent aligned. Obviously, we're in a phase where "win now" makes sense. The opportunities that were out there, we didn't see any that moved the needle for our team. We just didn't." 

The key to him thinking they can win now is the same as it has been for years: Embiid. 

And, the caveat to that is, again, the same as it has been for years - health.

"I continue to see improvement," Morey said of Embiid's play. "I know from my conversations with him that he feels like he's improving, still. But all I ever had was talking to our medical staff and doctors and there was a lot of confidence that he could get to this place if he puts in the time. And he has. I do think it's sustainable and we are excited about it."

After stating that the organization was all good in bringing in someone even if it meant going over the tax threshold - something they haven't done for four years - Morey laid down the hammer in giving another reason he believes his team is still in good shape to contend in the East.

Daryl Morey on “Understanding the reactions” 😂😂😂 I’m not watching the rest of this. pic.twitter.com/ig7eKMcrWV

— Drilz (@phillydrilz) February 6, 2026

"Folks have speculated on the improvement of our East competitors. I don't see it, personally," he said. "I think all the teams made moves at the deadline, but there weren't any needle-movers in my opinion."

Well, his team certainly didn't move any needles at the deadline either, although Morey said the team may be players in the buyout market. 

"I think we're in the mix," he said. "We've had a lot of conversations already. We're obviously in competition with other teams, so I don't know if we'll get the first option necessarily, but we'll be in there with getting some of the top options."