Rockets general manager Daryl Morey stepping down on Nov. 1

HOUSTON – Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is stepping down on his own accord, a little over a year after sparking a rift between the NBA and Chinese government.

Morey said he made the decision to pend more time with his two college-aged children, who are taking a year off from school during the pandemic, and to “see what other potential challenges could be out there.”

The Rockets announced the move Thursday night. Morey said he’s leaving the team Nov. 1.

Tilman Fertitta, who has owned the Rockets since 2017, said Morey told him of his decision the day the team got back to Houston from the NBA bubble about a month ago.

“Daryl is one of the premier GM’s in the league and I’m disappointed ... (but) Daryl made it real clear he wasn’t staying here forever,” Fertitta said in an interview with

The Associated Press. “When I bought the team, he told me that. And he decided this is the time that he wants to change his life.”

Fertitta added that Morey is helping him through the transition and they’ll promote vice president of basketball operations Rafael Stone to general manager.

Morey caused an international uproar last year when he tweeted support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Morey tweeted an image that said: “Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong.” His tweet was in reference to pro-democracy demonstrations in the semiautonomous Chinese territory that had been mired in escalating violence between protesters and law enforcement.

The tweet caused businesses in China to cut ties with the Rockets and broadcasters there refused to air the team’s games this season. NBA telecasts in China, however, resumed during the recent NBA Finals.

Morey said Fertitta’s support for him never wavered, even in the wake of the tweet.

“From Day 1 Tilman has been behind me ... and I will always appreciate that,” Morey said. “And it’s never been a factor in anything here.”

Fertitta scoffed when asked if he thinks he can repair some of the business relationships the team lost in China now that Morey is leaving.

“It isn’t even anything that’s popped in my head or considered,” he said. “I didn’t even think about the two tied together.”

The Rockets have made the playoffs 10 times since Morey was hired in 2007, including the last eight seasons for the longest active streak in the NBA.

Morey was responsible for the blockbuster trade that brought James Harden to Houston from Oklahoma City. The Rockets reached the Western Conference finals twice under Morey but were unable to win their first championship since consecutive titles in 1994-95.

Fertitta is grateful for Morey’s contributions in his time with the team and said he’ll always consider him a part of it, even though he is stepping down.

“It’s been a great run and I appreciate everything Daryl’s done,” he said. “If I have any questions or need his support, he’s there for me and this organization ... he will be a Rocket forever. And that’s just the way it is.”

The move comes after coach Mike D’Antoni told the team he would not return after the Rockets lost to the Lakers in the conference semifinals.