The 76ers are faced with a once unthinkable reality after fatal loss to Heat

In case there was any doubt, which there wasn’t, the Philadelphia 76ers are officially headed towards the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. With Philadelphia’s 118-95 loss to the Miami Heat, it has been eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since the 2016-17 season. The 76ers are now 23-51 and have eight more games left in what has turned into a brutal regular season. Philadelphia essentially has nothing to play for leaving the question – what now?

The 76ers are in a great position for the 2025 NBA Draft

As of today, the 76ers have the fifth-worst record in the NBA, which gives them the fifth-best odds for the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the Brooklyn Nets (24-51) are one game behind Philadelphia for that position. The 76ers have a 10.5% chance of acquiring the first overall selection and a 37.2% probability of landing in the top four range. Currently, Philadelphia has a 64% chance of keeping its 2025 first-round pick.

Philadelphia’s pick in the upcoming draft will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it’s anything worse than the sixth overall selection as a part of a trade between these teams in November 2020. Needless to say, the 76ers must lose as many games as possible to maximize their chances in the draft lottery and position themselves to retain their pick.

However, that may be a challenge since only three of Philadelphia’s final eight opponents possess a winning percentage of .500 or better, and two of its upcoming foes are also top seven in the upcoming draft lottery odds. With the 76ers’ seemingly endless injury report, they lack the talent to compete against any team, so losing shouldn’t be too difficult of a feat. 

Tyrese Maxey's return could complicate things

Still, the return of a certain one-time all-star guard could throw a wrench in Philadelphia’s tanking effort. Before the 76ers’ 119-114 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Nick Nurse revealed that Tyrese Maxey has been working out and wearing a finger splint to return before the end of the season, but stated that his return will be based on pain tolerance via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Yesterday, Nurse announced that Maxey will remain sidelined for Philadelphia’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, but he partially participated in its practice session, Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire reported. Maxey missed the 76ers’ last 14 games due to a sprained right finger and a lower back sprain, which he seemingly recovered from as it hasn’t been listed on the injury report since Monday. Philadelphia would be wise to stall Maxey’s return as much as possible considering the implications of the draft lottery. 

Regardless, the 76ers’ season will conclude in 15 days and until then, fans should keep an eye on prospects like Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, and Jared Butler as their increased roles have been crucial to their development, which could earn them a consistent role next season. Or, fans could simply watch the Philadelphia Phillies.