A new era is dawning for the Philadelphia 76ers. With talented recruits alongside Joel Embiid, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, this roster will have championship ambitions. However, according to Bleacher Report's Mo Dakhil's 'Big Three rankings', Embiid is not as integral to the franchise's success as he once was. The outlet omitted him from the Sixers' trio -- opting to select Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown as the team's leading cast.
Joel Embiid is no longer the face of the franchise
For as long as 76ers fans can remember, Joel Embiid has been the heartbeat of this team. If their star man hasn't been available, the organization has crumbled. Former Sixers General Manager Daryl Morey persisted in building a roster that complemented Embiid's skill set. While this vision made sense on paper, Morey was creating a squad for an injury-prone player who is sporadically utilized during regular-season games.
Under Mike Gansey, the tide has shifted. While the salary cap is still largely consumed by three star players -- Embiid, Maxey, and Brown -- the perception of this team is that it has an abundance of weapons who can lead the offensive charge in the big man's absence. Something that Bleacher Report has considered in its 'Big Three rankings'.
In the ranking, Philadelphia's 'Big Three' sit fifth overall in the NBA -- listing Maxey, Edgecombe, and Brown as the 76ers' devastating trio. While the outlet acknowledges that these players have yet to prove they warrant the title of a 'Big Three', they provide a perfect analysis of why Embiid can't be listed in this group.
Dakhil explains, "For starters, Joel Embiid is not included because it is hard to count on him consistently given his injury history."
And that, folks, is the top and bottom of the Philadelphia 76ers' problems. Whether analysts or journalists believe Embiid is in the 'Big Three' doesn't really affect the franchise, but pinning your hopes on a player who can't remain healthy is playing Russian roulette with your championship vision. This roster needs a new leader -- and the answer couldn't be more obvious.
Jaylen Brown must lead the 76ers' offense into battle
Tyrese Maxey has been exceptional in the moments that his team has required a superstar. Nevertheless, even after a stunning career year across several categories, he is missing one key element of a true leader -- and that is experience of winning a championship.
Leaders come in different molds. Some franchises select savvy veterans who can help develop a younger group of prospects; sometimes, the best option is to simply select the most talented player on the squad, with the hope that they inspire their colleagues to perform at a higher capacity. Under its current guise, the 76ers are in a championship window, and they need a star with the know-how of getting over the line no matter what, and that is Jaylen Brown.
Whether you believe he warranted the title or not, Brown was named the 2024 NBA Finals MVP for a reason. Without his grit, talent, and determination on the floor, the Boston Celtics may never have clinched a title they were so desperate to lift.
During the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and five assists per game -- albeit as the Celtics' secondary scorer behind Jayson Tatum. Nevertheless, he has shown he can produce as the primary option in Boston.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, while Tatum was recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Brown got a taste of being the Celtics' leading star. The 29-year-old averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor.
It was clear that Jaylen Brown was no longer happy with being the bridesmaid and never the bride. Now that he is with the Philadelphia 76ers, it is hard to believe he will accept a role in Joel Embiid's shadow. Unfortunately for Embiid, the perception of his status in Philadelphia is diminishing to the point that Bleacher Report does not believe he warrants a place in the team's 'Big Three.' How times have changed.
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