When he signed Paul George, re-signed Tyrese Maxey and extended Joel Embiid last offseason, Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey definitely didn't anticipate the team being 20-30 and 11th in the Eastern Conference after the NBA trade deadline.

The question had lingered for so long that somebody almost forgot to ask it. Daryl Morey spent 30 minutes talking to reporters on Friday afternoon, many of them devoted to Joel Embiid’s left knee, an issue that has been the organization’s most pressing for more than a year now.

Amid a frustrating, injury-plagued season, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey seemed to give superstar center Joel Embiid

After a week which saw the Sixers swing three deals prior to the NBA's trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, team President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey met with the media to discuss the deals.

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey discusses the health of Joel Embiid as they all move forward.

In a post-trade deadline press conference, Daryl Morey continued to envision a title-contending path for the Sixers.

Morey wanted the Sixers, who have struggled to a 20-30 record entering Friday’s game in Detroit beneath an avalanche of injuries, to get younger. He aimed for more dynamism, on the court and in his flexibility to wheel and deal down the road.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ championship aspirations have fallen off a cliff. After signing All-Star forward Paul George to a four-year, $212