After a very disappointing 2024-25 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers were able to reach a crossroads.
After adding Paul George’s last offseason on a four-year Mammoth $211 million contract, the Philadelphia 76ers were expected to rival the Boston Celtics at the Eastern Conference.
Instead, early injuries to George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxie and Jared McCain, the radical front of the year at the time, derailed their season and effectively finished it before it got off the ground.
McCain’s promising young man, Maxey appears ready to take over as a franchise player, and in the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Six swapped both George and Embiid, and was able to immediately press the reset button to move completely out of the “process.”
However, Philadelphia believes Embiid can return to MVP form and George is still an All-Star and their plans have been revealed.
The lineup of Maxey, McCain, George, Embiid, and perhaps Ace Bailey (or Tre johnson! or VJ Edgecombe!) is one of the best rosters in the East. After losing in the second round, both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are expected to take a step back, with the Six being better than the Orlando Magic, Detroit Piston and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Only the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks get in the way, and the 76ers like those opportunities.
“And don’t expect that duo to break up.” It has been reported League Insider Jake Fisher. “Sources say recent reports suggesting that Sixers are trying to explore George’s trade market alongside the draft are misreading.”
Of course, plans may change if George or Embiid gets injured again or simply can’t go back to form, but for now fans can expect them to stay on track.
“Back last summer, George’s free agency courtship in Philadelphia, often whispered in league circles, Six didn’t look back and tried to drive the acquisition of Markey early in Philadelphia’s tenure unless George asked for a deal,” he continued.
The Knicks and Pacer, the final two teams standing in the East, are expected to kick out a very similar lineup next season. With Jason Tatum injured and the second apron remaining a factor, the Celtics may trade the Cleveland Cavaliers with one of their better players until they prove they are the winners.
While teams like magic and piston certainly have increased, Daryl Molly has long made it clear that he believes in building around Embiid.
Of course, the Sixers have always fallen in the postseason. In many cases, in a disappointing way, they had no chance to prove anything on their current roster. “Playoff P” may be a beast of the past, but the East is expected to be weaker than ever, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo links to the Western Conference Team.
If the “process” is rewarding, after waiting years, expect it to be rewarded next season.