For the past 13 seasons, general manager Daryl Morey has been the flagbearer for a number of things: analytics, aggressive roster building, the Houston Rockets, and synergy.
Over the span of 13 seasons, Morey transformed the Rockets from a middle-of-the-pack franchise into a perennial contender, one that consistently pushed the barriers and limits of traditional NBA thinking.
As of Thursday morning, that fruitful relationship is no more. In a stunning move, Morey made the decision to step down from the position, sources have told The Athletic. Rafael Stone, former Executive VP of Basketball Operations, will be promoted to general manager, sources said. Eli Whitus will also be promoted to Assistant General Manager and will continue to assist in front office duties. ESPN was the first to report the news.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of it all isn’t the actual news itself, but the timing of it. The Rockets are in the midst of a coaching search, one…
