The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most polarizing teams in the NBA. Trusting the process landed the organization an MVP who seems destined to end up in the Hall of Fame, but the methods with which they've attempted to build around that success story have been questionable, at best.
Talent has never been an issue in Philadelphia, but as Joel Embiid prepares for his ninth active season and 11th year since being drafted, a simple sigh of relief could change everything.
Since Embiid was drafted in 2014, the 76ers have kept the door open for high-level players to join forces with him. Unfortunately, it's also been left ajar, thus creating an environment in which Embiid's co-stars have come and gone with an alarming degree of regularity.
At the 76ers' Media Day, Embiid spoke about the constant roster turnover that's tainted his tenure with the franchise and how relieved he is to have a core that offers sustainability.
Joel Embiid said it's extremely important to go into camp without any negativity or outside noise – & has repeatedly talked about how excited he is for this group to potentially be together for an extended period of time after a revolving door of players here the past few years.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 30, 2024
Embiid has generally been surrounded by star-caliber players, but a dose of continuity could go a long way toward permitting the 76ers' long-awaited ascension to the ranks of the NBA's best.
Joel Embiid excited for continuity to replace unpredictability
The list of featured players who have come and gone since 2018-19, when Philadelphia came within a Kawhi Leonard miracle shot of its first Conference Finals appearance since 2001, is staggering. During the 2018-19 season, for instance, five different players averaged at least 16.9 points per game.
Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick left that very summer, however, while Ben Simmons made a controversial exit in 2022, and Tobias Harris walked in free agency in 2024.
Philadelphia acquired Josh Richardson via the trade that sent Butler to the Miami Heat, seemingly embracing him as an ideal fit alongside Embiid, Harris, and Simmons. Unfortunately, Richardson played just one season with the 76ers.
Philadelphia hoped it had found the answer when it traded a package centering around Simmons and two first-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden, but that relationship ended after just two years.
Fast forward to 2024 and even Harris has left via free agency. In his place are three All-Stars who are signed for at least the next three seasons in Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, and a high-level role player signed to a four-year deal in Caleb Martin.
Philadelphia has also invested draft picks in promising young players such as Adem Bona, Ricky Council IV, and Jared McCain.
With a core four seemingly in place, and a slew of up-and-coming players to complement them, the 76ers can finally look to the future without fear of drastic roster turnover. It's the first step toward creating the continuity that contenders typically prioritize.
Only time will tell whether or not that will lead to improved results, but with a Big Three and one of the best role players in the NBA signed long-term, the opportunity has finally arrived to build something sustainable.