30 Teams in 30 Days: 76ers on the Rise After a Busy Offseason Remodel

Pre-season

Re-signing: Kyle Lowry, KJ Martin, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr.

Additions: Andre Drummond (free agent), Paul George (free agent), Eric Gordon (free agent), Reggie Jackson (free agent), Caleb Martin (free agent), Guerschon Yabusele (free agent)Draft: Jared McCain (No. 16 pick), Adem Bona (No. 41)Departures: Nicolas Batum (to Clippers), Mo Bamba (to Clippers), Buddy Hield (to Warriors), De’Anthony Melton (to Warriors), Cameron Payne (to Knicks), Paul Reed (to Pistons)Unsigned Free Agents: Robert Covington, Terquavion Smith

Last season

Philly looked like a boss in the East before Joel Embiid was lost for two months with a meniscus injury. The Sixers won 47 games anyway and Embiid returned in time for the playoffs, but Philadelphia had fallen into the SoFi Play-In Tournament. Embiid starred as the 76ers won and claimed the No. 7 seed, but in the playoffs, they were a player short of going deep into May.

They did discover a co-star in Maxey (25.9 points per game), who became an All-Star and thrived in the leading-man role while Embiid was out. (He also collected Kia Most Improved Player and NBA Sportsmanship Award honors.) Coach Nick Nurse also pushed the right buttons to keep this team in contention. Still, once it was apparent the Sixers were a level below other contenders, the suspense and concentration transferred to the offseason for a team loaded with cap space.

Summer summary

General manager Daryl Morey spent years defining the Sixers’ cap situation for this moment: the chance to add a significant player alongside Embiid. What Morey discovered, as a pleasant surprise, was Maxey emerging into that second star. Then it was all about finding that third piece.

Another surprise? George’s willingness to bolt the Clippers. That made for simply matching a title-starved player with a title-starved team. By waiting until this summer to extend Maxey, the Sixers could load up on George, Drummond, and Martin. Overall, it was an impressive summer haul for a team that was already 50-win caliber.

Spotlight on

In one sense, George is coming to the right place at the right time. He doesn’t need to be the lead singer, as he was with the Indiana Pacers. He won’t carry a sizable load as he did with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s also not charged with turning a franchise around, as it was with the Clippers. Still, there’s a bit of urgency for the 34-year-old swingman to be a difference-maker in what may be his best and last chance to win a title.

How far can the Sixers go?

Three teams in the East appear to be a cut above the rest, and the Sixers are in such company with the Celtics and Knicks. Which means, a trip to June is realistic. Buoyed by an uplifting offseason, the Sixers are bringing a solid starting five and potentially three 2025 All-Stars.

It all comes back to Embiid, though, their most dominant player. Does he have another Kia MVP-like run in him? Given his weight and injury history, the Sixers probably need to win a title in the next 3-4 years with him still in his prime. Maybe they’ll get there sooner rather than later. Maybe it all comes together this season.

Up next: Brooklyn Nets | Previously: New York Knicks

30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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