The Philadelphia Sixers went from potentially having their best season in years to one of their worst based on the expectations set during the offseason. Daryl Morey and the front office were applauded for signing Paul George in free agency, but the sentiment has changed less than a year later.
Everything bad that could've happened to the Sixers this season has happened -- from Joel Embiid's lingering knee issues that caused him to be out for the rest of the season to George not playing like the co-star Philadelphia needed him to be before being ruled out for the remainder of 2024-25. The Sixers have experienced several other roadblocks this season, such as rookie Jared McCain missing the rest of 2024-25 after having knee surgery.
Philadelphia has its work cut out for them this offseason. The Sixers have the fifth-best odds to land the No. 1 pick. If the pick falls out of the top six, it'll go to the Thunder. Philadelphia's depleted roster has upped its chances of ending the season in the top six, although Quentin Grimes is playing like a star. The organization might be unable to keep Grimes this summer, especially if they get a high draft pick, giving them another player who is owed money.
The Sixers are limited financially because of the three big deals they gave out last summer. George's deal runs through 2027-28 ($56.6 million player option), Embiid's runs through 2028-29 ($69 million player option), Maxey's runs through 2028-29.
Goerge signed a four-year, $212 max contract, Embiid signed a three-year, $192 million extension before the season, and Maxey signed a five-year, $204 million max extension. Two of those deals have already aged poorly.
Sixers have more questions than answers entering offseason
There are concerns about whether Embiid will be able to play again -- much less return to his once-dominant form. The same goes for PG13, who will be 35 in May. Does he have enough gas in the tank to be the player Philadelphia needs alongside Embiid and Maxey?
It doesn't seem like the Sixers want to enter a rebuilding phase, even if they get a top-six pick. It wouldn't be easy to trade Embiid and/or George, anyway. What team would be willing to take on an expensive star with an extensive injury history?
The best-case scenario for Philadelphia would be Embiid and George staying healthy for most of next season and playing well. That might end up being a dream scenario. It's hard to envision what the future will look like for the Sixers because of the uncertainty surrounding Embiid and PG. The front office has nobody to blame but themselves.
If only we could look into the future and see the 2025-26 Opening Night roster. Fans can only hope it'll feature a healthy Embiid. And if PG is still around (that's a big if), hopefully it'll be the start of a bounceback season.