If you decide to not agonize over injury updates (and non-updates), there is a path to you enjoying watching the Sixers play basketball again.
The Sixers’ drama doesn’t hit like it used to.
An excellent Joel Embiid feature had folks talking for a few days. News Paul George had an arthroscopic procedure barely mustered responses. Some fans got worked up over VJ Edgecombe’s injury situation in summer league, but that was much ado about nothing. Even Quentin Grimes’ restricted free agency seems like it will be ironed out; it’s just a matter of when.
For most NBA franchises, this would seem like a lot. For your Philadelphia 76ers, it’s yawn-inducing. So, how should fans approach a season where their two highest-paid players might start the season on the shelf?
A thought exercise many have (understandably) done is imagining what this team would look like if Embiid and George don’t play a single game this season. While leaning into their dynamic guard play, youth and athleticism might not be a recipe for competing for a championship, it could be … fun.
Remember fun? If you’re reading this as a Sixers fan, it’s fair if you’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel joy while watching your favorite team. Believe it or not, many fan bases — even ones without championship hopes — enjoy watching their squads on a nightly basis.
What a dream.
What if I told you, you could feel this way about your Philadelphia 76ers this season?
You’ve been through it, Sixers fans. From Ben Simmons to James Harden to George and all of Embiid’s health woes, you’ve seen it all. It’s been a whole lot of misery with minuscule moments of exuberance. If you simply let go of your championship aspirations for 2025-26, there’s a chance you could enjoy basketball in Philly again.
Embiid and George might not be ready for training camp. That means they might not be ready for the start of the regular season. That means there’s no point in spilling digital ink on how they factor into the team at the moment. If they’re upright and suiting up, great. They’re great players when healthy and would help the team immensely. If they’re not, well, it’s to be expected. Agonizing over injury updates (or non-updates) will only lead to pain.
Instead, focus on Maxey. He’s 24, is the unquestioned leader of the team and smiles a whole bunch. He’s also as competitive as any player the Sixers have had. There won’t be many players in the league more motivated than Maxey to put last year behind them and play their tails off this coming season.
Focus on the 2024 draft class of Jared McCain, Adem Bona and Justin Edwards (he was undrafted, but he can be included here). McCain is likely coming off a Rookie of the Year season if not for a torn meniscus. The ridiculous flashes we saw over the course of 23 games should have everyone frothing with anticipation. Both Bona and Edwards played a whole lot more than any of us would’ve imagined, but they both looked like NBA players — huge wins for a second-rounder and UDFA.
Focus on the 2025 draft class of Edgecombe and Johni Broome. Edgecombe has star potential and can serve a role immediately, no matter what the team looks like. His presence alone will make the Sixers worth watching. Broome doesn’t share some of the dynamic traits of other players mentioned, but he’s smart, tough and wants to win.
Focus on the team’s free-agent class of Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow (the latter two on two-way deals). Watford is a 24-year-old forward with intriguing and versatile skills at 6-foot-9. Walker and Barlow, both 22, also bring excellent size and athleticism at the four spot, an obvious position of need. Both should push for standard contracts.
As far as the veterans go, we should see plenty of Kelly Oubre Jr. but not nearly as much of Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon or Kyle Lowry. If that trio is heavily featured, yeah, you can lose your minds over that.
When thinking about what the 2025-26 Sixers could be, I keep going back to the Indiana Pacers’ run to the Finals. No, they don’t have Tyrese Haliburton or Pascal Siakam and they’re not likely to make a similar run. This is more in regard to style. If Embiid and George are out, the Sixers have a roster in place that can run most NBA teams out of the building. Will they give up some points? Yep. Will they get crushed on the glass? Probably. But they’ll be competitive and a whole lot of fun to watch.
Imagine Maxey coming off his second All-Star appearance, Grimes proving last March wasn’t a fluke, McCain building upon his rookie season, Edgecombe mounting his own Rookie of the Year campaign, all leading a young and exciting team into a play-in game. No, it’s not the NBA Finals, but it might bring you more joy watching Sixers basketball than anything has in recent years.
Bereft of drama.