Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid lead a Sixers roster full of talent. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 24-58 (13th in East, missed playoffs)
With a roster headlined by Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers came into last season with championship aspirations. Those dreams went up in smoke as injuries limited the amount of time they spent on the court.
The star-studded trio played just 15 games together as Embiid (63 games missed), George (41 games missed) and Maxey (30 games missed) struggled to stay healthy.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, the number one question in the City of Brotherly Love is, can the “Big Three” avoid the injury bug?
Offseason
- Re-signing: Andre Drummond (player option exercised), Justin Edwards, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr. (player option exercised)
- Additions: Trendon Watford (free agent)
- Draft: VJ Edgecombe (3rd pick), Johni Broome (35th pick)
- Departures: Jared Butler (free agent), Ricky Council IV (waived), Lonnie Walker IV (overseas), Guerschon Yabusele (free agent)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Quentin Grimes (restricted)
On paper, the Sixers’ roster is as talented as any team in the Eastern Conference. Unsigned free agent Quentin Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 28 games with the Sixers. Jared McCain emerged as a fan favorite before getting injured in December, while expectations are through the roof for rookie VJ Edgecombe.
And don’t forget about the trio of former All-Stars: Embiid, George and Maxey.
If Nick Nurse can turn this team into a cohesive unit, and if they can avoid some of the injuries that plagued them a year ago, a deep playoff run is possible.
VJ Edgecombe dazzled in his #NBASummer debut for the @sixers!
🔔 28 points
🔔 10 rebounds
🔔 4 assists
🔔 2 blocks pic.twitter.com/sqLlfmuIWA— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2025
X-factor
Jared McCain. Through the first quarter of the season, McCain was a leading candidate for Kia Rookie of the Year, averaging over 15 points per game through the first 23 games of the season. In his first career start, he had 34 points and 10 assists, including six 3-pointers.
He suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee in December that ended his first season in Philly.
McCain is on pace to return to action when training camp opens, and if fully healthy, he gives fans another reason to tune in to Sixers games. Combined with the talents of Maxey and Edgecombe, the Sixers have the makings of a dynamic young backcourt for years to come.
> Watch Jared McCain on NBA League Pass
One key question
Is it time for Maxey to become the face of the 76ers?
Sure, Embiid and George have better career resumes, but they are both older and have way more injury concerns than Maxey.
Maxey is a threat from 3-point range, shot a career-high 87.9% from the foul line and led the team in scoring (26.3 points per game) and assists (6.1 per game) last season.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top six sleepers at center. The 76ers’ Adem Bona got some love:
“Admittedly, this one is a deep sleeper. Bona has two things going for him. First off, he’s actually a sneaky good fantasy producer. Last season in 11 starts, Bona put up 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes. Secondly, the health of Joel Embiid is a major question mark heading into 2025-26. Not to mention, Embiid has played a total of 58 games over the past two seasons. The 76ers did bring back Andre Drummond for some frontcourt insurance, but I think it’s clear that Bona will enter the season as the No. 2 center on the depth chart. So if you take Bona late in drafts, you could get some mild standalone value with minutes in the teens, and a potential stud if Embiid misses time.”
Key dates
- NBA Global Games (Abu Dhabi): Oct. 2 vs. Knicks (12 PM ET, League Pass), Oct. 4 vs. Knicks (11 AM ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Celtics (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Home Opener: Oct. 25 vs. Hornets (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup East Group B Play: Oct. 31 vs. Celtics (7 ET, Prime), Nov. 14 at Pistons (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 25 vs. Magic (8 ET, NBC & Peacock), Nov. 28 at Nets (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Rivals Week: Jan. 24 vs. Knicks (3 ET, ABC)
What they’re saying
Shaun Powell, NBA.com: “Is this team ready to implode or improve? The truth is somewhere regarding the Sixers and a roster makeup that can go north or south, mainly depending on the nightly availability of Joel Embiid.” (Read more)
