It has now been over a year since the 76ers pulled off the Paul George signing, and things looked promising at the time. But injuries decimated the roster, and this team ended up looking like a shell of its full potential. And now, though there have been some major steps in the right direction, there is one big issue that continues to go unaddressed: the Sixers have no real depth, and sooner or later, that is going to be a serious problem.
Philadelphia does not have a lot of players they can truly trust to contribute meaningfully in a postseason environment. As we look further down the roster, things begin to get dicey. Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry are all expected to contribute real minutes this season. And that might be the most alarming part.
Each of those three guys were on the wrong side of their prime probably a couple of years ago. In 2025, they should not be anywhere near a playoff rotation. But based on how this roster is currently built, all three will be asked to step in when, not if, injuries strike.
And that is the core issue here. Joel Embiid and Paul George have both missed time in nearly every season of their careers. That is not a knock, it is just reality. Embiid has had lingering knee issues that flare up at the worst times. George, now 35, missed half the year in his first season as a 76er.
Philadelphia does not have enough depth
The Sixers cannot reasonably expect to get through an 82-game season and four rounds of playoffs with both stars available the whole time. Which means those depth pieces are not just break-glass-in-case-of-emergency options. They are part of the plan.
That is where it all starts to fall apart. Drummond is still a decent rebounder, but he cannot guard in space, and is a major liability in switch-heavy coverages. Lowry might bring veteran leadership, but he can often be a non-factor when his shot is not falling. Gordon is capable of hitting a few corner threes, but his best years are long behind him. These are players you add to be mentors in the locker room or insurance for blowout games, not guys you rely on to keep the team afloat when stars are sidelined.
The Eastern Conference, even with all its flawed teams, is still too competitive to afford these kinds of depth concerns. The Celtics and Pacers might be coming in with injured stars next season, but it's not enough for the 76ers to get comfy. One injury in Philly, and suddenly the Sixers are throwing lineups on the floor that cannot generate offense or get stops.
There is still time for the front office to make a move, but as of now, this roster is too top-heavy for comfort. A team with this much talent should not be this fragile. Refining the roster could change the outlook, but it's not looking great as of now.