The biggest factor that will determine the fate of the Philadelphia 76ers next season is pretty simple and straightforward — health. As long as the team manages to turn in a cleaner bill of health in their 2025-26 campaign, they are going to turn heads and help everyone forget the disaster that dawned upon the franchise this season.
However, getting back to the playoffs is far from the actual goal for this bunch. Philly seeks to return to championship, not mere playoff contention. But to make that leap, better luck against injuries will not suffice.
Fortunately for them, the East cannot get any more wide-open next season. As it currently stands, a healthy 76ers team should be able to contend for homecourt advantage. However, as usual, there is a looming curveball that seeks to make the path way tougher for the squad in the following campaign thanks to a recent and unforeseen development.
76ers could get screwed up as the Heat seek a big revival with rumored Kevin Durant pursuit
The Miami Heat got embarrassingly booted out of the playoffs, but not before turning in a very subpar regular season slate. Now operating without Jimmy Butler, their erstwhile franchise player who led them to two NBA Finals appearances, their squad seemed headed to complete stagnation.
However, it seems like Pat Riley and his crew are not just going to stand pat. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, a Kevin Durant trade could be finalized soon, and Miami is seemingly in the loop as it is reported to be one of the remaining teams in contention to secure the superstar’s services.
For the 76ers, this is definitely not good news. First off, they are not in the running for Durant. Second, Durant heading to the Heat would have serious implications on the Eastern Conference race next season, as Miami, as mentioned, was already looking at a bleak footing.
Now, Philadelphia fans will have to hope that Durant ends up with either the Rockets or the Timberwolves, the two other finalists. Both teams are situated in the Western Conference, and keeping him there would play to the team’s best interests, especially with so many factors in play to determine the tight playoff race next season.
Hopefully, Riley and his crew strikes out anew on an All-Star, as they often do. After all, the Heat still have a respectable squad led by one of the league’s finest tacticians in Erick Spoelstra, who has long been one of the biggest thorns on the side for the Philadelphia 76ers.