Rockets GM Daryl Morey today stepped down after 13 years, and the team “quickly promoted” Exec VP Rafael Stone to fill the void. Assistant GM Eli Witus also “will move up.” Sources said that Morey’s decision was “100 percent” his own. Morey became “one of the most well-known" GMs in sports but was "embroiled in controversy when he tweeted support for Hong Kong protestors … and causing an enormous rift with the NBA.” Morey had “considered leaving his position since the Rockets were eliminated” from the playoffs. He will “continue to serve as an advisor to the Rockets during the coaching search” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/15).
Sources said that Morey is not “ruling out a future return to the NBA on the team side, but he has become increasingly determined to explore what else might interest him professionally” (ESPN.com, 10/15). ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski notes Morey “has had a tumultuous year, obviously going back to last October.” Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta has said that he is "willing to go into the luxury tax to continue to try to keep the Rockets a contender." ESPN’s Matt Barrie said this is “going to be a complete overhaul for them, outside of the roster,” with a new GM and head coach (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/15).
