The Philadelphia Sixers' roster looks just a little different than it did at the start of the offseason. All they did was trade for Jaylen Brown, lose a few free agents, and add a few of their own. Yeah, there hasn't been much going on.
In all seriousness, there has been a lot going on for Mike Gansey, the new president of basketball operations. The Sixers have been quite busy, from selecting rookie Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 pick in the draft to making the trade that literally no fan saw coming.
As a result of their offseason moves (and another big one could be on the way), the depth chart has been rearranged in a way that Philadelphia hopes will finally send it in the direction fans have waited so long to go.
Let's take a look at how things stand and, for the most part, should look when the Sixers start the 2026-27 season.
Point guard
Early projection: Tyrese Maxey, Labaron Philon Jr.
Tyrese Maxey is a superstar coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 38 minutes across 70 games. He's the man at the top and will continue to lead the offense, but there shouldn't be as much on his plate as there was now that Philon is around.
He's just a 20-year-old rookie, but even if you don't put much stock in summer league (and you shouldn't), it's hard not to feel excited about Philon. He's in somewhat of a unique position as a first-round pick expected to play a sizable role on a contender, but that looks to be a challenge he's up for, as he's acclimated well to the competition around him in Las Vegas. That's all the Sixers can ask for right now.
Shooting guard
Early projection: V.J. Edgecombe, Anfernee Simons, Caleb Love (two-way contract)
Edgecombe had a great rookie season, and he may hit the sophomore slump sometime next season, but that's a challenge he has proven he can overcome. He's not your typical soon-to-be 21-year-old, and the Sixers are happy he isn't. The starting spot is still his and will remain so, though it will be interesting to see how things will change for him now that Brown is in town.
Behind Edgecombe, adding Simons, who averaged 14.3 points in 24.9 minutes per game last season with the Celtics and Bulls, was a great move for Philadelphia. His contract is good value, too. His scoring punch off the bench will be welcome.
Sixers fans probably won't see much from Love as he continues to develop in his second NBA season, but he averaged 10.4 points per game in 20.7 minutes over 49 games with Portland. He gives Philadelphia yet another scoring option.
Small forward
Early projection: Jaylen Brown, Justin Edwards, Dalen Terry, Rayan Rupert (two-way contract)
Imagine knowing at the end of this past season that the next time Philadelphia played in an NBA game, Jaylen Brown would be the starting small forward. That probably isn't even something you imagined, because you didn't think it would happen.
The 29-year-old is an upgrade over Paul George, giving the Sixers another star who can lead a team and, perhaps most importantly, stay healthy. Things will probably be a little wonky for Brown and his new teammates as they build chemistry and learn what life looks like together, but that should come with time.
Behind Brown, Philadelphia has Edwards, whose production dropped during his second season, but he's still only 22 and figuring things out. Where he can help the Sixers most is with his shooting, as a career 36.8% three-point shooter.
Terry's future is a question mark: his contract isn't fully guaranteed, and if the Sixers need the roster space, he could be on his way out. And if not, his value lies in what he can bring on the defensive end.
As for Rupert, don't overlook him because he's on a two-way deal. The 22-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals in 30.9 minutes over 16 games (nine starts) he played for the Grizzlies in the second half of last season. Yes, it was on a team that wasn't trying to win, but still. There could be something more there for Philadelphia.
Power forward
Early projection: Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker
If there is a certain someone who is 41 years old and currently an unrestricted free agent who wants the starting power forward spot, it could be his.
The Sixers entered the LeBron James sweepstakes when they traded for Brown, and on Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Philadelphia remains one of the "leading suitors" for the superstar. If that were to happen, he'd slide into the starting four spot in place of Wade, whose importance wouldn't diminish, given that James' minutes will have to be managed.
Philadelphia targeted Wade for his shooting and defense, making him an ideal complementary piece alongside the current starting group (or just in general).
As for Barlow, his minutes and therefore his production took a hit in the playoffs after he started 59 of the 71 regular-season games he played, but overall, it was the best season of his young career. The 23-year-old is familiar with the Sixers' system, and, more importantly, someone they can turn to when needed.
Then there's Walker, whose contract isn't fully guaranteed yet (and won't be until January), making him someone to watch. Still, Philadelphia should opt to keep him around, at least for the first half of the season, for added frontcourt insurance.
Center
Early projection: Joel Embiid, Adem Bona, Ariel Hukporti, Johni Broome
Center is where things could get a little sticky for Philadelphia, as they have in the past. When you have a starting center like Embiid, who, unfortunately, has a concerning injury history, you need to be as prepared as possible for when he can't play. That includes managing his minutes, as the Sixers want him to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs.
Adem Bona, Ariel Hukporti, and Johni Broome don't inspire much confidence as players whom Philly can confidently rely on to step up and fill the starting spot when needed, which is why the front office needs to add a veteran big who is more battle-tested, as Bona, Hukporti (although he did win a title with the Knicks, but as the third-string center), and Broome aren't.
If Philadelphia can get someone like Nick Richards, or maybe even Jonas Valančiūnas, the Sixers can round out the roster with the depth they need to better guide them through the grueling 82-game season and, in turn, into the postseason in one piece. That is the goal at the end of the day, now more so than ever with this squad, and it's possible.
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