Sixers At A Crossroads: Can Philly Pivot Or Is This Season A Lost Cause?

The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a weird place. Sitting at 7-15 in the fairly soft Eastern Conference, they’re just two games out of eighth place.

But let’s be honest, this isn’t the season Sixers fans envisioned. This was supposed to be a year to contend, not claw for a play-in spot.

Joel Embiid’s knees are still the ticking time bomb that defines the franchise’s timeline, and the moves Philly made this offseason weren’t about treading water — they were about making a legitimate run at a title.

So, what now? First, it’s worth noting they don’t really have a tanking option, thanks to that top-six protected pick owed to Oklahoma City.

Falling to the bottom three to secure it would take an epic collapse, and Washington and Utah have already laid down their “we’re-the-worst” claims. Plus, Embiid doesn’t seem like the type to embrace a rebuild.

That leaves the Sixers in pivot mode. Paul George, anyone? His max deal runs through 2028, and at 34, his value might not be higher than it is right now. Trading him would sting, but if Philly decides this isn’t their year, it’s worth gauging the market.

There’s also the matter of their financials. They’re $10 million over the luxury tax — could they dump salary, stay competitive, and still prepare for the future?

One intriguing option: flip that unprotected 2028 Clippers pick for a starting-caliber power forward, as proposed by John Hollinger of The Athletic. It’s no secret they’ve lacked consistent production at the four, and a deal like that could stabilize the roster without blowing it up.

Bottom line: The Sixers still have paths to salvage this season, but their decisions over the next few months will define whether this era ends with a title — or just another chapter in “The Process” gone wrong.

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