The shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers may have struggled to carve out wins in the early going of the 2024-25 season, but as the team slowly gets back its two All-Stars, there’s no doubt about what this club is capable of doing when healthy and fully-armed.
A big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George is simply the best that it can get. All of them tout skill sets that highly complement each other. For that very reason, it’s difficult to just boot the 76ers out of contender talks just based on five games played without two of those stars.
In contrast, another fellow contender is also facing an ugly record to begin with, but finds itself in a much worse situation. And the league-wide suspicion surrounding its current struggles is reason to believe that Philly’s path to the FInals has just gotten easier.
Giannis trade rumors gives 76ers an easier path to the Finals
The Bucks racked up yet another loss tonight and have now lost six straight games since their opening night win over the injury-riddled 76ers. Firmly cemented at 15th place in the East, Milwaukee is on the verge of a full collapse, especially now that the rumor mill has them getting closer to waving the white towel.
Just like clockwork, the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors have commenced, but this time, it’s coming from a place of legitimate concern for the Bucks. The two-time MVP has looked like a complete lone wolf for Milwaukee, and their situation has no clear avenue for a resolution.
Damian Lillard has not looked like himself, Khris Middleton is still a no-show, their cast is aging and lacks bounce, and Doc Rivers has been Doc Rivers. All of these have culminated into one good reason for Giannis eventually wanting to get out of Milwaukee.
Nearly the entire league would indulge in a hot pursuit for Antetokounmpo should the Bucks continue with their implosion, and the most sensible destinations or really, teams that can tender reasonable offers for him are all on the Western Conference.
Should this go through, the 76ers will undoubtedly have an easier path to the Finals for the succeeding years with a Giannis-led team now out of contention in the conference. Obviously, Boston is still lording right now (watch out for Cleveland!), but Embiid will now definitely be the best player in the East with Antetokounmpo out the window.