The Philadelphia 76ers’ offseason went about as well as it could have gone. Paul George was the prize addition — the culmination of Daryl Morey’s steadfast commitment to clearing cap space and maintaining optionality. Philadelphia also filled out the roster with quality roles players, such as Caleb Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr., while inking Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid to new long-term extensions that lock up the 76ers’ core for years to come.
For the first time in Embiid’s career, there appears to be some level of stability with the Sixers roster. Never say never with this team, but we should get at least a few years of Embiid, George, and Maxey in tandem. After cycling through co-stars like fashion fads for the last half decade, Embiid finally has a core group he can (probably) trust to remain in tact. This isn’t a Jimmy Butler or James Harden one-year stay, and George is miles better in terms of fit than Ben Simmons ever was.
Philadelphia does not need more star power. Assuming health holds up — which is always a dangerous assumption with this team, but what can ya do? — Philadelphia should trade blows with Boston and New York atop a competitive Eastern Conference. The Sixers probably aren’t favorites to win the conference, but they are certainly in the mix. Embiid is karmically due for a full postseason run eventually, preferably without a debilitating knee ailment or freak facial injury…