Philadelphia 76ers 2024-25 season preview: Will Joel Embiid finally deliver deep playoff run?

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration)

The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We’re breaking down the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

2023-24 finish

Offseason moves

Additions: Paul George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Jared McCain, Adem Bona

Subtractions: Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Paul Reed, Cameron Payne, Mo Bamba

Complete roster

The Big Question: Can Joel Embiid dominate a full season?

Everything, for once, is in place around Joel Embiid.

The 76ers wiped their books clean for one swing at whatever roster they wanted around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey — this summer only, before Maxey signed his $204 million contract. And they homered, adding the best available free agent, Paul George, a perfect fit between their existing stars.

Not only that but they crammed Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson and the surprise of the Paris Olympics, Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele, into their remaining salary cap space. They also retained Kyle Lowry and Kelly Oubre Jr. and drafted Jared McCain, who appears NBA-ready.

They gave Embiid everything he wanted when, sitting beside George during the NBA Finals, he told a national TV audience, “Hopefully this offseason we find a way to get better and add some pieces.”

The NBA’s 2023 MVP now has a pair of All-Stars flanking him, same as he did in 2019, when his Sixers fell one shot short of his first appearance in a conference finals, at the top of the type of roster you build when you expect to compete for a championship — full of familiar veterans and a smattering of upside.

Embiid is out of excuses, though he has had built-in ones for years now. His history to end each season:

2015: Fractured right foot

2016: Fractured right foot

2017: Torn left meniscus

2018: Fractured orbital bone and concussion

2019: Left knee tendinitis and viral gastroenteritis

2020: Global pandemic

2021: Torn right meniscus

2022: Fractured orbital bone and torn thumb ligament

2023: Sprained right knee

2024: Torn left meniscus

Some of…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-09 15:07:25

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