Amid a lost season, the Philadelphia 76ers suddenly find themselves languishing in the ebbs of being a cellar-dweller this year — a stunning development for a franchise nearly everyone penciled in to have a strong case to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2025 NBA Finals. Despite their embarrassment of riches talent-wise, the team has not gotten any kind of traction on the wins column, culminating in the third-worst record in the East as of writing.
While it’s become way too poignant to point out, injuries have once again decimated the 76ers this season which, to be fair, should not come as a surprise to anyone anymore. The front office gladly assumed the attendant injury risks in committing to Joel Embiid long-term and securing Paul George to the tune of a max deal, and now, they are paying the price.
The unanimous sentiment as of now is that Philadelphia faces one of the bleaker situations in the NBA in the immediate future. But despite that being a valid inference, all hope is not lost for the franchise, especially if the man up top can take a page out of a well-known playbook.
Daryl Morey can lead the 76ers back to contention by pulling a Sam Hinkie
Losing has become synonymous with the 76ers this season, yet the franchise would hate to make that analogy. This is, after all, one of the most prideful brasses in the NBA, Still, there is literally zero reason for them to cling onto that pedestal this time around.
To cut to the chase, Daryl Morey has to do everything in his power to maximize the 76ers’ lottery odds this season. And by maximizing, we mean really going for the top prize and not just, say, being content with landing a top-six pick to avoid Oklahoma City seizing their selection this year.
Tanking works, and data suggests that landing top picks is one of the more viable pathways to contention. That is even more the case with this year’s draft class, which is highly regarded as one of the more talented and deeper casts in recent years.
Morey has actually drafted well in recent years with Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey, and although there has been some misses, none can be equated to his success with picking prospects. Should he manage to land a top-three pick, the 76ers could easily sneak into contention as soon as next season.
Even with the George disaster and the huge cloud casted on Embiid, Philly is still talented enough to be a playoff team at the very least next season. A top prospect will only heighten their prospects as a collective. That is indubitable.
Still, everything is contingent on the front office pushing the right buttons come summer time, and of course, given the way this season has turned out for the Philadelphia 76ers, the draft will be the main event.