The Philadelphia 76ers, barring injuries this season, are widely expected to jump right back into the thick of things in the wide-open Eastern Conference in 2025-26. After all, the franchise simply boasts way too much talent to continue languishing at the bottom. Even their biggest naysayers would probably caution about penciling them in as a lottery team in the following campaign.
Having said that, getting back into the postseason — and actually making noses therein — would entail far more than just standing pat and whoping for a cleaner bill of health. There are multiple issues hounding this roster, and it is incumbent upon the front office to make those changes this offseason.
One area the 76ers must specifically address is team defense. Thanks to their frail players this season, the team slipped to 26th in defensive rating — a huge drop-off after finishing just outside the top-10 in that department the season prior.
Fortunately, it seems like the team is not taking any chances.
Dennis Smith Jr. could be the backcourt stopper the 76ers badly need
While the 76ers have not made any official additions just yet, the team has ushered in some new faces as of late for a mini camp. One of those players is Dennis Smith Jr., who was not rostered this season after spending the 2023-24 campaign with the Brooklyn Nets.
The ninth overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft has been some sort of a journeyman in his career, but if there is one thing that remained a constant for him, it is his pesky defense in the backcourt. The 27-year-old is a legitimately good defender, especially in one-on-one situations, making him a good, low-risk addition for teams in need of a perimeter stopper off the bench.
Should Smith end up on the 76ers, the team will have an emergency stopper they can count on when the opposing team starts bleeding points. Tyrese Maxe and Jared McCain are not necessarily bad defenders, but they are certainly far from being premiere ones. Having Smith check opposing guards in pinches would be a great way for Philly to maximize one of its roster spots.
Defense will be the name of the game for the 76ers next season. Their offensive talent is already overflowing and probably at a surplus, and it is up to their defensive improvement if they will be able to return to contention.
Luckily, it seems like the Philadelphia 76ers brass is aware of what it needs to do this summer, and considering Dennis Smith Jr. is already a great sign.