7 Former players that have excelled since leaving the 76ers
By Tyler Watts
The Philadelphia 76ers face a massive offseason. They want to build a title contender around Joel Embiid and have their sights set on adding a third star. Embiid is the only Sixer with a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season, so the pressure will be on Daryl Morey and the front office to build out their roster.
Philly has made the playoffs for seven straight years but has never reached the conference finals. Embiid’s championship desires are clear. The 76ers must improve or the risk of losing their superstar increases drastically.
Additions have not always worked in Philadelphia and several current players have done better after leaving. This is the nature of the NBA. Teams have limited roster space and must make tough decisions. The pressure is on the Sixers to nail this offseason, and they cannot afford to have more players join this list.
7. Isaiah Joe
The Sixers drafted Joe in the second round in 2020, but he struggled to get consistent minutes. He played 96 games over two seasons but averaged just 10.3 minutes per contest. The 6’4 guard was waived in Oct. 2022 as the franchise chose Charles Bassey over him for their final roster spot.
It took just three days for Joe to catch on with the Thunder, and things immediately flipped. Joe has been a 40 percent 3-point shooter since arriving in Oklahoma City and has averaged 18.8 minutes per game over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old keeps getting better and figures to be a quality rotation piece for years to come.
Do not be surprised to see Isaiah Joe blossom further with more opportunity. Every team wants shooting, and the 24-year-old will likely expand his role as he reaches his prime.
The Philadelphia 76ers would love to have a lights-out shooter around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but this was a case of the franchise choosing the wrong talent. Finding quality wings is never easy, and the Sixers let one get away.