The Philadelphia 76ers are most certainly the biggest wildcard in the NBA for the upcoming season. After all, this roster cannot be fairly adjudged by the turnout they produced in the previous campaign, where injuries ate them up whole en route to an embarrassing finish in the Eastern Conference.
Yet despite everything that has been said about this team's admittedly waning championship window, the 76ers have a shot at glory in the 2025-26 season. The East is widely believed to have gotten weaker due to a couple of bona fide title contenders already bowing out of the race, and Philly, despite its not-so-perfect summer slate, has still gotten better with its new faces.
Many are not content with what the front office did this offseason, but they actually still have leeway to change people's perceptions in that respect. Save for the roster spot obviously reserved for restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, the 76ers still have room for one more player.
That decision is clearly meant for them to maintain flexibility heading into the season, falling squarely into Daryl Morey and his crew's tendency to leave a roster spot. But that decision could backfire this time around.
The 76ers are missing out on opportunities by leaving a roster spot open
There are still numerous players who are available for taking in the open market, but despite teams being allowed to carry more than the allowable number of players into training camp, the 76ers have stood pat with their current deck of players.
On one side, the coaching staff may prefer sticking with the team's current crop of players. But on the other hand, they are definitely missing out on players –– veteran or not –– who could end up being huge bargains.
At this juncture, those who are still in the free agency pool will come at dirt-cheap price tags, so that is the opportunity cost attendant with the front office's choice not to go after more players who could be eyeing an audition during the preseason.
For now, there is no damage done, of course. But laying the groundwork for something that might not even happen (i.e. a blockbuster trade that requires the team to have more than a single roster spot available) kills those opportunities to find a hidden gem or two.
Ahead of training camp, the Philadelphia 76ers front office should revisit their strategy when it comes to managing the roster, lest they get too engrossed with the hypotheticals and skip the chances staring at them right in the eye.