The season was effectively already over for the Philadelphia 76ers months ago, but the 2024-25 NBA season is only just approaching its most climactic point. After some unexpected developments in the playoffs, the league is down to its final two teams which will be facing off in the Finals — the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
OKC rode its league-best 68-14 record to overcome a relatively slow start in the postseason, breezing past Minnesota to return to the Finals for the first time since 2012. Meanwhile, Indiana pulled off three straight upsets en route to its first Finals appearance since 2000.
Both teams are in search of their first championship in franchise history (yeah, the Thunder do not really tout ownership over the Supersonics’ erstwhile title, marking a new era in the league with similary brand new faces steering the ship for their respective ball clubs. To that effect, the 76ers could learn a thing or two.
NBA Finals gives 76ers the perfect blueprint to return to relevance
Led by Daryl Morey, the 76ers are built on sheer star power. Such disposition to franchise-building is definitely a proven recipe for success, but in recent years, ball clubs that have adopted the same approach have seen the lowest of lows.
Both the Thunder and Pacers are built on either making huge swing trades or hitting on their draft picks. But more innately, both teams have a depth advantage over most squads, giving them a range of optionality when it comes to their hardwood product and off-court maneuvering.
The 76ers, which have now recouped a considerable amount of assets for the future, should start pivoting away from a star-driven approach to one that has a more sustainable design. As the two finalists have shown, it is much more proactive and effective to build rosters with a clear purpose, not just to pack as much talent as possible in one locker room.
That holds even more water in Philadelphia’s case. After all, this is a franchise that has long been plagued by injuries, yet has never been known for investing in functional depth. This season saw the tipping point of what the front office’s methods can yield at their worst, and it is definitely high time to move away from such an approach.
With the East still wide-open moving forward, the Philadelphia 76ers must do whatever it takes to resemble a sustainable winner. Otherwise, if they keep clinging to their antiquated approach, a path to contention could be more blurry as time passes by.