The Philadelphia 76ers have notched an exciting prediction from a collective of league experts.
A poll of ESPN NBA insiders believes that, behind only the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers have the third-best chance of taking a massive jump in the standings.
Philadelphia had something of a snakebitten season in 2024-25, with injuries to 2023-24 All-Stars Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey and concerning chemistry issues ultimately dooming the club to a 24-58 finish and, eventually, the No. 3 seed in this summer’s 2025 NBA Draft.
“Just five years ago, the 76ers and Hawks battled it out in the Eastern Conference semifinals with Trae Young and Joel Embiid dropping 39 and 37 points, respectively, in Game 7,” wrote Michael C. Wright. “Philadelphia’s prospects hinge largely on the health of veteran stars Embiid and Paul George, as well as continued growth from Tyrese Maxey.”
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The 7-foot Embiid has already been a seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA honoree, three-time All-Defensive Teamer, and was the 2023 MVP, but he’s already shown signs of major slippage amid mounting health concerns.
Embiid has never been available for even 70 games — he missed his first two pro seasons entirely — but things have really been troubling recently. The 31-year-old appeared in just 58 contests across each of the last two seasons, including a scant 19 last year. He suffered a lateral meniscus left knee injury midway through the 2023-24 season that required surgery. Embiid then had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee this past April.
Now, heading into the first season of a three-year, $193 million contract extension, those questions about his health remain.
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Last summer, George signed a four-season, $211.6 million deal to ditch his hometown L.A. Clippers for Philadelphia, expecting to compete for championships alongside Embiid and Maxey.
Instead, the Fresno State product suffered from a variety of knee injuries himself, and was limited to just 41 games.
George, 34 and a former nine-time All-Star, averaged just 16.2 points on .430/.358/.814 shooting splits, 5.3 boards, 4.3 dimes, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks — his worst scoring output since his 2011-12 season with the Indiana Pacers.
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Maxey suffered from a sprained right finger, which limited him to just 54 available contests last season.
The team’s big additions are rookie V.J. Edgecombe out of Baylor and a healthy Jared McCain, who had been on track for an All-Rookie season before tearing his own meniscus in his left knee in December, and watching his season end after just 23 bouts.
If the youth movement in the backcourt — Maxey, McCain and Edgecombe — can develop while the old guys stay healthy, Philadelphia has an opportunity to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
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