The inaugural year for player Jared McCain concluded around the middle of December the previous year. Still, McCain participated for a greater total of court time (592 minutes) compared to Joel Embiid (574 minutes) representing the 2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers. This also holds true for reserve players like Jeff Dowtin Jr. (621 minutes), who was under a two-way arrangement and contributed to 17 games with the Sixers’ development league affiliate; Kyle Lowry (659 minutes), whose on-court presence waned considerably in the final quarter of the season; and Jared Butler (682 minutes), a mid-season acquisition at the trade deadline.
In summary, a total of 15 players exceeded Embiid’s playing time for the Sixers during the past season. Ricky Council IV, who clocked the fifth-highest number of minutes, isn’t presently listed on any NBA team roster. (There were reports that the Brooklyn Nets considered including him in their training camp, if not for an injury.) Paul George also sat out half of the games, and toward the conclusion of the regular schedule, the team was deliberately underperforming to retain their top-six-protected draft selection. It marked a particularly challenging period for the franchise, which had committed approximately $400 million to Embiid and George in the prior offseason.
However, the positive aspect is that the 2024-25 season has concluded. The strategy of strategically losing games in the latter part of the season proved beneficial. If you’re a Sixers supporter who hasn’t already bought a V.J. Edgecombe jersey, you might have at least considered it. While McCain will be sidelined at the beginning of the season due to a thumb injury, and neither George nor Embiid has participated in any preseason matches, the expectation is that Philly will soon have an opportunity to assess the squad they’ve assembled. The hope is that the team’s potential will be as substantial as initially projected when everyone is healthy and that their performance won’t decline to the levels observed in the previous season.
The Current Scenario
Previous Season: Almost every conceivable setback occurred until the evening of the lottery. Nonetheless, the disappointing season of 24 wins did offer some consolations: Tyrese Maxey demonstrated improved defense at the point of attack, McCain exhibited Rookie of the Year potential during his brief period of health, and Quentin Grimes, obtained in exchange for Caleb Martin before the trade deadline, displayed the form that the Knicks hesitated to surrender when considering a trade for Donovan Mitchell four years ago. The emergence of Guerschon Yabusele as a fan favorite and Justin Edwards’ late-season contributions were viewed as minor triumphs.
The Offseason Events: The team acquired Edgecombe with the third overall selection, utilized the 35th pick to draft Johni Broome, a player known for his ability to stretch the floor as a big man, and extended Edwards’ contract for three years at $7.1 million, including a team option. Additionally, they brought back Eric Gordon and Lowry, and secured Trendon Watford from Brooklyn, each on minimum contracts. Yabusele departed to join the Knicks. The team utilized two of their two-way contract slots for Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow, who might contend for some of his playing time. After prolonged negotiations, Grimes accepted the one-year qualifying offer.
Las Vegas Predicted Performance: The over/under for wins is set at 42.5, according to BetMGM.
The Ongoing Discussion
A Sixers Advocate: The past season was a period of hardship in Philadelphia. Nevertheless, with the exception of winning a championship, it constituted the best outcome that could have transpired for the franchise. By reaching rock bottom, the Sixers secured the opportunity to draft V.J. Edgecombe, a potential future star who is almost certain to immediately contribute positively. Daryl Morey’s management group also gained valuable insight from the numerous problems encountered in 2024-25. As a result, the team has constructed a roster that is significantly younger and more athletic than the previous one. Virtually everyone with the exception of Tom Ziller seems apprehensive about stating it, but the 2025-26 Sixers have the capacity to compete for championships, granted they maintain reasonably good health. I anticipate that you will challenge me with the oft-repeated concern that “Joel Embiid’s availability can no longer be guaranteed,” a notion I have encountered countless times. However, as soon as he returns to the court in peak condition, your perspective will undoubtedly shift.
A Sixers Skeptic: The repeated claims that Embiid can no longer be relied upon do not stem from any form of conspiracy directed at Philadelphia. This is simply an accurate assessment, irrespective of how much any of us would like it to be otherwise. The Sixers selected Embiid in the draft 11 years prior, and he has concluded a season in full health only once, specifically in 2019-20 within the bubble setting. Embiid himself has conceded that playing through a knee ailment — in addition to Bell’s palsy — during the 2024 playoffs was not the most judicious course of action. What concerns me the most in Embiid’s case is not so much the limited play time he logged last season, but rather his physical state when he was on the court. Presently, I find it difficult to believe that he’ll be capable of returning to an MVP-caliber performance, let alone sustain such a level of play.
A Sixers Advocate: I suppose you agree with the following opinion concerning Embiid: “Everyone must consider the possibility that surgery and rehabilitation, no matter how carefully administered, will never be sufficient to ensure his consistent availability.”
A Sixers Skeptic: Yes, that much is evident.
A Sixers Advocate: Excellent. That statement originated from a Philadelphia Inquirer article from over a decade ago. Before dismissing Embiid, bear in mind that similar sentiments were expressed extensively before he even played a single moment in the NBA. His history of injuries has consistently been a cause for concern. Still, he has overcome such obstacles to receive seven consecutive All-Star selections and to win an MVP award. Please don’t express undue surprise should he once again invalidate this perspective.
A Sixers Skeptic: Can we proceed to discuss the rest of the team? There are only so many ways to emphasize that Embiid embodies significant uncertainty. Recalling that the franchise has been managing this precarious situation for over ten years certainly does not alleviate my concerns. Weren’t you somewhat alarmed when Paul George, in the absence of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey from the lineup, only managed two points on 1-for-7 shooting in 36 minutes played against Brooklyn in February? How do you regard George’s decision to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery in the summer, and Jared McCain’s video blog discussing another injury? While I understand the excitement around Edgecombe, aren’t you somewhat disappointed that the Sixers opted not to retain Guerschon Yabusele or extend Quentin Grimes’ contract long-term? It’s challenging for me to move beyond the previous season when the current season’s outlook already seems unsettling.
A Sixers Advocate: As a matter of fact, I have some questions concerning the San Antonio Spurs for you: Weren’t you concerned by De’Aaron Fox’s suboptimal efficiency in the 17 games he participated in for them during the previous season? How do you view his absence throughout the entirety of the preseason — potentially including some regular-season contests — due to a hamstring injury? Isn’t it a concerning sign that Stephon Castle is already contending with a bruised knee? Are you absolutely certain that Victor Wembanyama will sustain his health following his absence for almost half of the previous season? For clarification, I’m not seriously implying that there should be universal alarm concerning the Spurs. However, it is bothersome that McCain’s thumb surgery, which occurred only three weeks following a similar procedure for the No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, is being treated as an ominous sign specifically in McCain’s case. Let’s acknowledge the Sixers’ history of genuinely bizarre incidents by avoiding overreactions to minor setbacks! Moreover, San Antonio’s crowded backcourt and collective deficiencies in shooting represent more critical issues than any non-health-related concerns with Philly’s roster. The Sixers also enjoy the benefit of competing in the Eastern Conference. George is 35; however, his continued status as an elite defender indicates that reports of his decline are exaggerated, and that single game where he was dealing with three separate injuries should not be given undue weight. McCain will not be sidelined for numerous meaningful games. Grimes may still re-sign during the upcoming summer. As much as I’ll miss Yabu, I anticipate Trendon Watford will mostly compensate for his absence.
A Sixers Skeptic: Even if every Spurs player except Wemby were to rupture his Achilles tendon in the next week, I would still have greater confidence in their prospects than in Philadelphia’s. There is no double standard being applied; one of these teams possesses an exceptionally promising future, while the other will be obligated to pay Embiid and George roughly $120 million in combined salaries during the 2027-28 season. The most disheartening aspect of the situation the Sixers find themselves in is that, apart from those two player acquisitions, they have executed several remarkable moves in recent years! They acquired Maxey with the No. 21 pick, McCain with the No. 16 pick, and Edgecombe with a pick they were not anticipated to have. The Grimes trade was an incredible steal, the Kelly Oubre Jr. signing (and subsequent re-signing) proved as beneficial as could have been hoped, and Justin Edwards appears to be a valuable addition. Adem Bona might also prove to be an advantageous addition. Following Yabusele’s departure (another shrewd signing), the decision to pick up Watford was logical. Nonetheless, there exists no viable mechanism for a seamless transition to the post-Embiid era, thus the Sixers are constrained to simultaneously pursue two distinct timelines. This strategy has already exacted a cost. Despite the understandable desire to remain under the first tax apron and retain their ability to drop below the luxury tax threshold through a trade, these limitations prevented them from compensating Yabusele and Grimes at their true worth. This compromising stance conveyed a tacit message: Irrespective of Morey’s pronouncements, the organization is no longer fully committed to this particular group.
