The Philadelphia 76ers have high hopes entering the 2025-26 season. Following the eyesore of a campaign that they just turned in, the squad is very eager to prove that what happened last season was a mere aberration, and that it is still very capable of contending for the championship despite what everyone says.
True enough, a lot of people are already doubting their ability to get back to bona fide contention, although they probably cannot be blamed given that the 76ers are literally littered red flags from their ceaseless bouts with the injury bug all the way down to their glaring roster issues which admittedly went unheeded.
Joel Embiid seems to be ready to go to start the season, though. That is already a huge reason for fans to feel good about the team’s chances, but he will not be enough. The 76ers also need Paul George to turn in a huge bounce-back season. Despite those vivid signs of permanent decline, the nine-time All-Star still has what it takes to get this team over the hump if hea is healthy.
Unfortunately, it seems very likely that George will miss a bunch of games to start the season. That is to be expected, though, but the apparent solution for his absence in the meantime will definitely not make a lot of fans happy.
Nick Nurse bares risky plan for the 76ers to start the season
According to PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck, Nick Nurse had already revealed his interim starting unit, and while he is still missing a fifth player in the opening group, one name therein will puzzle some fans — Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre, who is entering his third season in Philly, seems probable to reprise his major role from the last couple of seasons. And while it is way too early to make a sweeping pronouncement as to why that could be a tough pill to swallow, given what he has shown for the 76ers, he is simply not an easy player to integrate into the starting unit.
Oubre, who is largely a non-shooter and does not have a lot of off-ball utility, has more value as a point of attack defender. Now, that is a welcome development on his game, but from the onset, he will be much better off coming off the bench.
Hopefully, the coaching staff reconsiders this choice. No offense to Oubre, but the 76ers need a less foolproof option to man such a crucial complementary role in the opening group, especially in lieu of Paul George.