The NBA trade deadline is now just three weeks away. For the past nine months, the Philadelphia 76ers organization and their fanbase have collectively put up with Ben Simmons continuing to hinder their franchise by continuing to sit out and refuse to play basketball. To say the very least, the 2021-22 NBA season for the Sixers has been weird.

Daryl Morey has been tasked with one of, if not the hardest task, I’ve seen in my life time for a President of Basketball Operations by trying to move Ben Simmons, who less than a year ago was considered a pillar in the 76ers franchise for years to come. Even with how grueling and frustrating it is to watch rumors swirl week in and week out, Sixers fans need trust Morey and the front office over the next few weeks before the deadline.

I understand that the track record behind 76ers front offices has been terrible before Daryl Morey got here. I don’t need to remind the masses of Bryan Colangelo era of 76ers basketball, nor does anyone here need a refresher on Elton Brand choosing to let Jimmy Butler walk out the door and head to Miami.

However, Daryl Morey is a completely different animal. One that not only has a track record of transforming franchises, but has already shown great success with the few major moves he’s made while in the 76ers organization.

Morey and the Houston Rockets

Before we jump into the great moves he’s made as a member of the 76ers, let’s take a stroll back to Houston with Daryl Morey. In case you forgot, this is the man who turned the Houston Rockets into one of the best franchises of the 2010’s. Just to throw some stats out for you, seven of the ten best seasons in Houston Rockets history came under Daryl Morey’s 13-year tenure.

Houston won over 61-percent of their games during his span, and won the most playoff games of any franchise during his time in Houston.

I think we can all remember the juggernaut Houston Rockets squad in the 2017-18 season when Daryl Morey put Chris Paul with MVP James Harden and one of the best three-point shooting teams of all time. The team that I am 100-percent confident would’ve won the 2018 NBA Finals if not for Chris Paul’s injury in the game five win over the super-team Warriors.

One injury stopped Daryl Morey from glory, but showed the NBA what kind of team he could make with full control and a superstar level talent to build around.

The Seth Curry and Josh Richardson Trade

Daryl Morey has already made great moves for the 76ers organization in the short time he’s been in Philly. First of all, not enough people talk about the absolute robbery he committed in the Seth Curry for Josh Richardson trade.

Seth Curry has evolved into not only one of the best three-point shooters in the league, but a multi-level scorer who can give you 17 points a night on shooting worthy of the 50/40/90 club. Josh Richardson flamed out of Dallas and now rides the bench on a bad Celtics team, while making more money than Curry.

Tyrese Maxey and other pieces under Morey

Not good enough for you guys yet? Let me ask you this, who do you think drafted Tyrese Maxey? Daryl Morey did in his first full draft with the 76ers. Maxey, the kid who’s already made leaps and bounds since being drafted only a year and a half ago being hailed as the next great 76ers point guard was taken by Morey.

Not to mention his ability to find gems like Isiah “Sharpshooter” Joe and Paul “Out the Mud” Reed in the same class who will become effective role-players as they grow within the organization as well.

Just to put a bit of a cherry on top, Daryl Morey was able to bring in Andre Drummond on a veteran minimum deal this season. Drummond who could arguably start on some NBA teams and has been successful in short stints as the 76ers starter. Keep in mind that this season, Drummond is 20th in the NBA in rebounds, with everyone in front of him being full-time starters.

Make it make sense

Daryl Morey is not the guy who chose to sign Tobias Harris to a max contract. Morey did not let Jimmy Butler go to Miami for a sign-and-trade with Josh Richardson. Daryl Morey did not sign Al Horford to a terrible contract, he got rid of it. Daryl did not give Ben Simmons a max rookie extension. All of these recent mistakes of the Sixers front office are not on him.

With all of this, how do people still find ways to hate on Daryl Morey? He is a guy who built a near dynasty in Houston, has made virtually no bad moves since joining the 76ers, and now you want to criticize him for not granting Ben Simmons’ wishes? I don’t understand it.

I refuse to waiver support for him because I know any other President of Basketball Ops would’ve already folded to Simmons’ demands and gotten a terrible return for him, stunting any chance of Joel Embiid and the city of Philadelphia winning a title.

76ers fans need to give Daryl Morey time and confidence. To date, there has been no evidence suggesting he’ll fail during his time in Philadelphia. Morey will get the return the 76ers deserve, if not better with time.

Will it likely take until the offseason? Yes, but that shouldn’t matter.

Every piece you’ve been impressed with in this season from the Sixers will return for the real year of 2022-23, after Daryl Morey builds the super-team Joel Embiid deserves.

For 76ers fans that understand what I’ve set in front of you, have patience. I know it won’t be easy watching Embiid prove he’s the best player in the world for the rest of the roster to fail him, but it will all be worth it in due time. Trust Daryl Morey.

Mandatory Credit: Kate Frese.