Coming off a productive offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers were expected to be premiere contenders for the 2024-25 season. The team managed to lure Paul George away from Los Angeles, forming a star-studded trio of George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. However, despite the star power, the Sixers are barely in the playoff picture, sitting at the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference with a dismal 20-30 record.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the Sixers still have some opportunities to improve their squad and fortify their championship hopes. So far, Philadelphia has made two trades. The first involved swapping Caleb Martin for Quentin Grimes with the Dallas Mavericks, which helped their financial position.
In another move to manage their finances, the Sixers traded 24-year-old KJ Martin to the Detroit Pistons. Dropping below the luxury tax threshold is a positive, but more changes are needed to salvage their season, as a disastrous trade deadline could seal their fate.
76ers’ championship hopes are slipping away
The Sixers are still within striking distance of the playoffs, trailing behind the Chicago Bulls, who have a 22-30 record. However, even if they make it to the Play-In Tournament, they would face tough competition from teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, or Orlando Magic.
Assuming they secure a playoff spot after the Play-In Tournament, the Sixers will need to find a way to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, the hottest team in the East. Maxey has been the most reliable player for the team, while George and Embiid have struggled to stay on the court due to injuries.
Keeping an aging supporting cast
With Embiid missing a large number of games and George also struggling with injuries, the Sixers can’t rely solely on their superstars. Unfortunately, their supporting cast has also been underperforming. While players like Guerschon Yabusele, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona have stepped up, others like Kyle Lowry, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Eric Gordon have become liabilities due to their age and injuries.
Lowry (38), Drummond (31), Jackson (34), and Gordon (36) are all past their primes, and injuries have kept them sidelined. Lowry and Jackson have missed 19 games, while Gordon has missed 13. Drummond has missed 21 games because of a toe injury.
The team would benefit from a more reliable supporting cast as they try to secure a Play-In spot. To make matters more urgent, Lowry and Jackson are on expiring contracts, while Drummond and Gordon have player options for the 2025-26 season.
Failing to find a temporary replacement for Jared McCain
Injuries have played a significant role in the Sixers’ struggles, with one of the biggest blows being rookie Jared McCain’s injury. McCain had been exceptional in his first 20 games, averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. He had even been an early contender for NBA Rookie of the Year honors.
Unfortunately, McCain tore his meniscus, sidelining him for the rest of the season. His absence has been felt, especially in terms of shooting and playmaking. The team has been forced to rely more on isolation plays to score, as evidenced by their low assist numbers (only 22.8 per game).
With McCain out for the year, Philadelphia must find a temporary replacement to keep their playoff hopes alive. With the trade deadline approaching, the Sixers have to make the most of this opportunity or risk missing the playoffs entirely.
