The Philadelphia Sixers entered the offseason backed into a corner, something they did to themselves. They’ve been relatively quiet this summer after the 2024-25 season ended with a 24-58 record, which isn’t where Daryl Morey and Co. thought they’d be after the moves they made last offseason.
After devastating injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, the East is wide open. The Knicks and Cavaliers are expected to sit atop the standings again next season, but other than that, there are several playoff spots up for grabs. The Sixers could be one of the teams to finish in the top six, but it won’t be because of their 2025 summer moves.
Philadelphia made noise last offseason by signing Paul George to a four-year max contract and extending Joel Embiid. The goal was to bring another star to the city to help Embiid and the Sixers make a championship push. They failed miserably, but there was one silver lining — V.J. Edgecombe.
The rookie’s potential is through the roof, but he alone won’t be enough to push Philly into the territory it wants to be in. What the Sixers are relying on entering next season is luck, and a lot of it.
Time is ticking for the Philadelphia Sixers
Philadelphia’s best bet to making it past the second round next year will be a healthy Embiid and George. Why? For starters, their salaries. Embiid will make $55.2 million and George will make $51.7 million next season. Tyrese Maxey is the next-highest paid player at $37.9 million.
The Sixers didn’t have the financial flexibility to make a major splash this summer because of the money they have tied up in Embiid and George, both of whom have very low trade value. Philly has no choice but to see things through in the upcoming season, hoping that the result will be the opposite of what it was in 2024-25.
The front office has nobody to blame but themselves. It’s not exactly a good strategy to bank on a nightmare situation turning into a winning one, but that’s the position the Sixers are in.
If it doesn’t work out, things could get even darker in Philly. Fans don’t need yet another reminder that the roster isn’t exactly championship material, but there you go, anyway. Maybe the basketball gods stashed some of the Sixers’ draft lottery luck to the side to carry over into next season. One can only hope.
