The Philadelphia 76ers have arguably been the biggest fiasco in professional sports this year. Their dismal 4-14 record ranks second-worst in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the lowly Washington Wizards. Let’s face it—things aren’t likely to get any better. Sure, you can point to the 1996-97 Suns, who clawed their way into the playoffs after starting 0-13, or the 2021-2022 Pelicans, who overcame a 3-15 start to secure a play-in berth and eventually make the playoffs. But those teams had the bulk of their starters playing over 60 games. The 76ers, however, are on a completely different trajectory. Paul George’s week-to-week setbacks and former MVP Joel Embiid’s casual announcement that he won’t play in back-to-backs have left the Sixers with a glaring availability problem, making any such miracle comeback seem unlikely.
However, the Sixers may still have a path forward in their quest to “trust the process.” Rookie sensation Jared McCain, a surprising standout from Duke, has shocked the league with his electrifying start. Averaging an impressive 23.7 points per game through seven starts, McCain is off to one of the best rookie campaigns since Michael Jordan. His scoring mark currently ranks as the third-highest in NBA history for a rookie through their first seven starts, and he currently sits atop the KIA Rookie of the Year Ladder. So, there is at least a glimmer of hope for Sixers fans.
Let’s not forget about their All-Star Tyrese Maxey, who has excelled as a first or second option on any given night. His 25.9 points per game last season ranked 12th in the NBA, and he stepped up as the team’s primary option during last year’s first-round series against the Knicks. Maxey has seamlessly transitioned from a promising young star to a scoring maestro, and his presence will continue to elevate the team while helping propel McCain to similar levels of excellence.
On paper, this team still holds promise. The ultimate goal has always been to dethrone the Boston Celtics atop the Eastern Conference, and achieving that requires a deep, cohesive roster—a vision the Sixers could realize if their roster was consistently healthy. Yet, as mentioned earlier, history isn’t on their side. The Sixers secured the best steal of last year’s draft in McCain, and doubling down on Duke by targeting the hottest commodity in college basketball, Cooper Flagg, could prove transformational. If the Sixers are looking for their next cornerstone, “The Maine Event” could lead them to a championship parade down Broad Street.
Cooper Flagg, the undisputed No. 1 high school player in the 2024 class, earned a stellar 97 scout grade from ESPN. Standing at 6’9″, the lanky phenom is a complete package: he’s explosive above the rim, has a reliable shot, can drive to the basket, rebounds with ferocity, and brings a level of physicality that screams “competitor.” While the Draft Lottery will undoubtedly turn into a fierce bidding war for Flagg, the Sixers should position themselves to keep their odds in the coveted 14% range. Flagg would be a perfect fit for this Sixers roster, addressing their glaring need at the power forward position—a spot that has long been a problem for the franchise to fill effectively.
Since the 2017-18 season, the Sixers’ power forward carousel has featured names like Dario Šarić, Robert Covington, Wilson Chandler, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, PJ Tucker, and Paul Reed. Šarić stands out as perhaps the most impactful traditional power forward of the group, averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during his tenure in Philly. Still, his time with the team was unfortunately short-lived. The rest? Each player brought something unique, but most were undersized and only filled the role out of necessity, often to accommodate Ben Simmons’ point-forward playing style during his tenure. Of these players, only two were taller than 6’10″—a significant limitation for a consistently undersized team. Many of these forwards relied heavily on set shots, limiting their shot selection offensively.
The Sixers have plenty of playmakers in the backcourt and at the wing—especially when Paul George is healthy—but solving their stretch-big dilemma is critical. Cooper Flagg could be the answer. Not only is he a triple-threat scorer, but his all-around game offers the level of versatility the Sixers desperately need.
Currently, Flagg is leading Duke in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. While Duke has produced dominant college players like Zion Williamson, Vernon Carey Jr., Kyle Filipowski, and Marvin Bagley III, who typically lead the team in three statistical categories, Flagg’s dominance across all four is unprecedented. His versatility would bring immense value to the Sixers, providing immediate impact and long-term promise for a team plagued by injuries and in need of youthful energy.
Although Cooper Flagg is the consensus No. 1 pick for any franchise, no one would benefit more from his arrival than Joel Embiid. During his MVP season, Embiid ranked third in usage rate at an exhausting 36.8%. Since then, he has played only 43 games, battling persistent knee pain and struggling with conditioning. Adding Flagg to the roster would dramatically ease Embiid’s workload, providing much-needed support on the glass, an additional scoring threat, and a reliable presence on both ends of the floor. This isn’t about what Embiid needs to do to stay healthy—it’s about surrounding him with the right pieces so there are no excuses for insufficient help.
The Sixers already boast a formidable core on paper when healthy. Tyrese Maxey and Paul George are seasoned pros, each capable of averaging 25 points per game when on the floor together. They can carry the scoring load when one is sidelined. Jared McCain provides a much-needed spark in the backcourt with his shooting prowess. Embiid, when healthy and in peak condition, remains the second-best center in the NBA, behind only Nikola Jokić.
The supporting cast adds even more depth: Kelly Oubre and Caleb Martin bring versatility, while championship-winning veterans like Kyle Lowry, Reggie Jackson, and Andre Drummond (a former rebounding champion who fills in admirably when Embiid is out) provide leadership. Add Eric Gordon’s shooting and savvy; this team is built for playoff contention.
This roster checks all the boxes: shooting, rebounding, youthful stars, seasoned stars, veteran leadership, and a championship-winning coach in Nick Nurse, who memorably led the Raptors past the Sixers in 2019. The addition of Cooper Flagg would represent the final step in “The Process.” With Flagg in the mix, the Sixers would have no excuses left—they would be fully equipped to challenge the mighty Boston Celtics. If Flagg lands in Philly, it’s easy to imagine a healthy Sixers squad playing the Rocky Balboa role against the Ivan Drago-like Celtics in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
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