When the Philadelphia 76ers entered the season, they were loaded with high hopes.

Tyrese Maxey (Photo by Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
The team made a confident offseason move and signed Paul George to a massive four-year, $212 million contract. With the nine-time All-Star expected to elevate the team, the Sixers looked poised for a deep playoff run.

Philadelphia kept the spirit high and also re-signed Tyrese Maxey in addition to Joel Embiid’s contract extension. However, as the season left them flat open, none of these moves have produced the desired results. Fast forward to March 2025, and the 76ers find themselves in a troubling position. Currently sitting at 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-36, the team’s playoff aspirations now seem distant.

A major factor contributing to this downfall has been injuries, particularly to their key players. Joel Embiid, who signed a lucrative three-year, $193 million extension last September, has struggled to stay on the court. He has only played in 19 of 56 games this season and it has significantly hindered the team’s potential. Recent reports indicate that Embiid and the Sixers are considering knee surgery. This comes after being unable to find any lasting relief from his injury despite ongoing treatments.

Paul George, for his part, has also battled through injuries. Despite being on the floor at times, he has admitted to simply “hanging in there” to assist the team. The combination of injury issues for George, along with Embiid’s struggles, has resulted in both players missing a significant number of games. By season’s end, it’s expected that the trio of George, Embiid, and Maxey will have missed at least 90 games combined.

Philadelphia 76ers Moves Backfired Led To Financial Constraints

No other roster in the NBA currently looks as troubled with inconsistency as the Philadelphia 76ers. Other than PG and Embiid, they have high hopes for Maxey. But last season’s Most Improved Player has had his own challenges, missing eight games this year. The trio has only shared the court for 14 games, resulting in the Sixer’s offseason move clearly backfiring at them.

The lackluster showing from the three-time NBA champion team has also led to open criticism from the analysts. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has been vocal about the team’s plight, calling their current situation a “joke.” He suggested that management should consider sitting out their stars for the remainder of the season. He argues that with their playoff chances rapidly fading, the focus should shift toward the future.

Moreover, the financial implications of these offseason moves are staggering. The contracts signed by George, Embiid, and Maxey account for approximately 90% of the salary cap each year until the 2027-2028 season. This leaves little room for flexibility or potential trades. Given their injury histories, offloading these stars could prove difficult if the Sixers choose to pivot.

Ultimately, the Sixers’ massive commitments in hopes of a championship run have instead exposed the weaknesses of their roster and the fragility of their star players. As the season spirals downward, the Philadelphia 76ers gamble did not live up to the expectations.