OPINION: Where Do the 76ers Go From Here?

Philadelphia — we have a problem. For the first time since 2017, the 76ers will watch the postseason from home. A franchise that once prided itself on The Process, a phrase referring to their rebuild in the mid-2010s, now finds itself without a clear direction, staring into an uncertain future. The Sixers are stuck in NBA purgatory: not bad enough to land a top-three draft pick, but nowhere near good enough to compete for a title. The dream of adding a generational prospect like Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper is all but dead, and the free agency landscape is as unforgiving as ever.

Meanwhile, the foundation of the team is cracking. Tyrese Maxey’s breakout season came to a screeching halt with a season-ending finger injury. Joel Embiid, the league MVP in 2023, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week. And Paul George, brought in to elevate the franchise, spent most of his brief stint in Philadelphia dealing with adductor and knee issues before being shut down entirely. The trio of Maxey, Embiid, and Paul George played together in 15 games this season, with the Sixers posting a 7-8 record in those contests. This indicates that even the trio’s presence does not compensate for a lack of roster depth and chemistry. 

What was once a promising young core has now morphed into a roster defined by uncertainty, injury, and dashed expectations. Sixers die-hard fans are restless, the front office is under immense pressure, and one question looms larger than ever: Where do the Sixers go from here?

The Paul George Experiment Has to End 

When the Sixers brought in Paul George, the hope was that he could be the missing piece—a veteran wing with an elite two-way pedigree to complement Maxey and Embiid. But instead of revitalizing the franchise, George’s time in Philadelphia only highlights the riskiness in the increasingly popular trend of big-market teams chasing aging stars past their prime. It’s not an isolated case. This gamble has become a favorite among franchises trying to shortcut their way to contention. The Lakers tried it with Steve Nash in 2012. The Nets took a massive swing on Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013. Under then-GM Daryl Morey, the Rockets attempted it with both Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook. Now, history has repeated itself in Philadelphia. The result is almost always the same: limited availability, declining production, and massive salary cap inflexibility.

This season was statistically George’s worst since his sophomore year in the league. He appeared in just 41 games—his third-lowest total in a season, behind only the 2014–15 campaign (when he returned late from a horrific Team USA exhibition injury) and 2021–22. His per-game averages fell across the board, with advanced stats further demonstrating the decline: his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) dropped below 16 for the first time in over a decade, and his true shooting percentage took a notable dip from recent years. Since the 2021–22 season, his scoring and usage have steadily declined, and his defensive impact—once elite—has faded.

Analysts have described George’s 2024 season as “disappointing” and even “disastrous.” That may sound harsh, but the numbers justify this frustration. And the best franchises in the league don’t dwell on misplaced bets—they pivot quickly. Whether through a sign-and-trade or letting him enter free agency, the Sixers must explore how to utilize what’s left of George’s value this offseason. Lingering too long on failed bets has derailed many teams before.

It’s time to move on.

Address the Frontcourt: Draft Khaman Maluach

With Joel Embiid’s health becoming less reliable each season, the Sixers can’t afford to enter another year without a viable frontcourt backup. The 2025 NBA Draft allows them to address that, and Duke’s Khaman Maluach might be the most intriguing option on the board. Multiple mock drafts have projected Maluach to land in Philadelphia’s range, and it’s easy to see why.

The 7’2” freshman was a breakout force in college basketball this season, earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team and playing a vital role in Duke’s run to the Final Four and No. 1 national ranking. He averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting an eye-popping 71.4% from the field. His 2.8 offensive boards per game speak volumes about his instincts and activity level around the rim—traits the Sixers need in their rotation.

More than just a high-efficiency big man, Maluach brings energy and upside the Sixers have lacked behind Embiid. He would be an ideal pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Maxey during stretches when Embiid is resting or sidelined. Maxey’s open-court speed and scoring volume would pair well with Maluach’s ability to roll hard to the rim, clean up missed shots, and finish through contact. Developing him behind Embiid strengthens the team’s interior depth and helps preserve Embiid’s legs through the grind of an 82-game season.

Fully Build Around Tyrese Maxey

It’s time for the Sixers to stop treating Tyrese Maxey like a co-star and start building around him as the star.

Despite being limited to a career-low 52 games this season due to injury, Maxey posted career highs in points per game (26.3) and steals per game (1.8), maintaining his status as an All-Star caliber guard and one of the most dynamic young players in the league. His efficiency, leadership, and ability to take over games in clutch moments have become core pieces of the Sixers’ identity. And at just 24 years old, Maxey’s ceiling continues to rise.

Since entering the league in 2020, Maxey has played in 318 games. Joel Embiid, in the same span, has appeared in just 243 games—a difference of nearly an entire season lost to injury. That reality matters. As good as Embiid is when healthy, Maxey has become the more reliable engine of the franchise.

Looking ahead to next season, Maxey won’t be alone in the backcourt. Rookie sensation Jared McCain, who was on a Rookie of the Year trajectory before suffering a season-ending meniscus tear, will be back and ready to contribute. The pairing of Maxey and McCain gives the Sixers a young, high-upside backcourt with shooting, speed, and playmaking. If Philadelphia can surround that duo with versatile wings, consistent spacing, and a dependable frontcourt rotation that will keep Embiid off the sidelines, they could redefine their future.

Maxey has earned more than a secondary role. The numbers prove it. The eye test confirms it. The franchise’s next era should be built around him.

It’s Time to Reevaluate Daryl Morey

When Daryl Morey arrived in Philadelphia in 2020, he brought with him a reputation as one of the NBA’s sharpest, most analytics-driven executives. This bold, calculated thinker wasn’t afraid to make blockbuster moves. But nearly four years later, a real question Sixers fans have to ask is: Is Daryl Morey actually a winner?

So far, the evidence says no.

Outside of his 2018 Executive of the Year award—earned after building a 65-win Rockets team that fell one game short of the Finals—Morey’s résumé is surprisingly empty. While he’s been praised for his once-innovative approach to roster-building, his leadership has never translated into a championship. In Philadelphia, his tenure has been defined by breakthrough success and failed high-profile gambles.

The four-year Ben Simmons saga felt like a turning point. Morey flipped Simmons for James Harden in what was supposed to be a masterstroke. But just over a year later, Harden publicly burned that bridge, calling Morey a liar and demanding out.The result: zero conference finals in Morey’s five years, a fractured locker room, and another superstar exit.

Beyond the miscalculated moves, the deeper issue is Morey’s cold, numbers-first mentality, which often feels at odds with the spirit of the city he’s leading. On an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Morey noted that the Sixers use AI to help make key team decisions and moves during the season, which couldn’t be further from the heart-and-soul of Philadelphia sports culture. This city still reveres Allen Iverson—flawed, human, and relentless. Passion defines Philadelphia, not numbers.

The Sixers don’t need another algorithm. They need a long-term vision, a cultural identity, and leadership that understands how to balance analytics with feel. If Morey can’t deliver that—if he continues to treat the roster like a spreadsheet instead of a team—it may be time for the organization to find someone who can.

Where do the Sixers Go from Here?

The promise of The Process has given way to a stretch of missed opportunities, questionable front office decisions, and a roster caught between timelines. But this season’s disappointment also opens a door. Moving on from Paul George, investing in a modern frontcourt with Khaman Maluach, and building entirely around Tyrese Maxey offers a chance to reset the roster and the culture. Whether Daryl Morey is the person to lead that shift remains to be seen. What’s clear is this: Philadelphia can’t afford to sit in limbo. The Process was never meant to end here.