After posting the fifth-worst record in the league last season with a measly 24-58 win-loss card, the Philadelphia 76ers are poised to easily breach that and be in the thick of the playoff race in the upcoming season. Already, they are being pegged as prime candidates for a comeback campaign by virtue of their sheer talent alone.
True enough, this team is just way too loaded on the talent section to just languish at the bottom of the standings. Despite clear red flags on his rehab back from injury, Joel Embiid should be able to play more than 19 games next season, as that is obviously a very low bar to clear. Ditto for Paul George, who missed half of the year due to his knee ailments.
Also, while the front office did not do anything flashy this offseason, they did manage to add some young talent through the draft with VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome. Both could play significant roles this season, allowing the coaching staff to have fresher options than, say, their aging veterans.
But given this team’s lack of luck health-wise, should we really get comfortable calling their chances next season as being lofty? Probably not, and that is definitely the perception of some people for the squad in 2025-26.
Nightmare 76ers scenario has them settling for scraps next season
Truth be told, a big reason why the 76ers should be penciled in for an improvement next season is because things couldn’t possibly get worse. The team reached the absolute nadir when it comes to injuries last season, and the odds of their injury mishaps taking a nosedive into that level are slim.
Another reason is that unlike last season, it would be nearly impossible for the 76ers to have the fallback of a lofty draft pick in case they slip up. Thanks to them keeping their pick this year, their selection this year is only protected if it lands in the top four; otherwise, it will be conveyed to the Thunder.
There is literally no plausible incentive for the 76ers to be a bad team next season. For better or for worse, they are handcuffed into actually trying to win as many games as they can, although of course, that is exactly what the franchise wants despite its waning — if not closed — championship window.
Hence, expect the Philadelphia 76ers to turn in one of the biggest leaps in the standings next season, although it may not come off as an impressive improvement. After all, it will be far from unprecedented.