All eyes are now on the 2025 NBA Finals, but the Philadelphia 76ers have every reason to jump past everything that is happening on the biggest stage. After all, the NBA Draft is coming closer, which will mark the official start of the offseason for the franchise.
While everyone is glued on their screens, the 76ers front office is most likely busy mapping out its strategy for the summer. The team has a long list of things to address this offseason, and it is imperative that they address all of their needs if they want to make noise in the wide-open East next season.
Moving forward as currently constructed, however, is too dicey of a proposition to sit on. The Joel Embiid situation remains blurry, making the idea of trading him a lot more palatable than before. Finding a take for him could be nearly impossible, but for a second, there was a viable trade scenario that warranted some due consideration.
However, Philly can now take that off the table.
76ers can now bid adieu to Kevin Durant trade fantasy
Durant is drawing a lot of interest as probably the best available star in trades, but his camp has reportedly already zeroed in on a preferred landing spot — the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs, which will parade a lethal lineup next season after drawing the second overall pick and with Victor Wembanyama recovering from a blood clot, could soar to even greater heights if they land Durant, His price tag does not seem too lucrative for San Antonio, and the superstar definitely has leverage over the Suns.
Philly, despite being capable of putting up an attractive offer itself, has a much smaller shot at moving the needle for Durant simply because he is not even considering the franchise as a desired destination. Hence, the most hopeful of 76ers fans can already safely toss this inexistent link aside.
Unfortunately, though, the 76ers are running out of options when it comes to making a massive switch-up. The Zion Williamson route was instantly blocked off by the Pelicans brass, and now, Phoenix is constrained to abiding by what Durant wants.
A lot of things can still happen in the offseason, but if the Philadelphia 76ers cannot find a way to settle the dust on the Joel Embiid situation, and they likewise fail to ship him, they could very well find themselves stuck in a delicate footing for the next four years.