Previewing The 2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers
September 22nd, 2024
by Alan Lu
The 2024 Philadelphia 76ers had a forgettable season. It was supposed to be an exciting time where new head coach Nick Nurse would lead both Joel Embiid and James Harden, that he would show Harden new offensive tactics to unlock a new dimension to his game, and guide them to a deep playoff run. Instead, things did not go that way, as Harden refused to come back to play for Philadelphia due to his fallout from his former friend, Darryl Morey, as he was upset over how the contract negotiations were handled and he felt disrespected by management, and he also wanted his basketball freedom. The short story is, the Harden storyline was a rather infuriating one that led Harden to be traded to another team, and the 76ers had a very disappointing 2024 playoffs that led to an abrupt ouster and first round exit.
After James Harden complained about his treatment from Darryl Morey and refused to suit up for the 76ers, he held out and was traded weeks into the season to the Los Angeles Clippers for an assortment of role players and picks. Despite the hot start to the season from new head coach Nick Nurse (who led the 2019 Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship), and the sterling play from rising star guard Tyrese Maxey, who would go on to make his first NBA All-Star team, the 76ers cooled down, especially in the second half when Joel Embiid missed considerable time due to injury.
The 76ers were able to land a six seed to face off against the New York Knicks, and Embiid was healthy to play against them, but they lost in the first round series to them in six games, ending a disappointing season in which they fell well short of their goal, which was to contend for a title.
This time around, the 76ers added some major firepower by signing Paul George in free agency, which gives the Philly fans optimism and a new reason to cheer for their team. While the Boston Celtics are still very much the favorite to win it all in 2025, this move puts the 76ers firmly back as title contenders, and there’s renewed hope that maybe the 76ers can finally make the deep playoff run that they’re capable of making, to see if they can reach the Eastern Conference Finals once and for all.
Paul George and Joel Embiid will be teammates for the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season. Joel Embiid is a one-time NBA MVP, but he will have to help his team make a deeper playoff run in 2025, and pressure has been mounting since he’s never been to the Eastern Conference Finals at any point of his NBA career. (Photo: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports, via Boston Sports Journal)
Star Players:
C Joel Embiid, G Tyrese Maxey, and F Paul George
Joel Embiid is the reigning MVP, and he is a very skilled, superstar center that can dominate out of the post, and he also has built up a reliable jump shot over the years. He’ll need to stay healthy and will need to help his team make deeper runs in the postseason, but this time around, he has help in not only having Tyrese Maxey, but they also will have Paul George, too.
Tyrese Maxey is a speedy, fleet-footed guard that excels at attacking the hoop to score the basketball, and he is a solid playmaker that could end up being one of the best players in the NBA. Paul George is a very good, two-way wing player that has a strong set of all-around skills, and when healthy has proven to be a valuable player in both regular season and postseason play.
Additions:
F Paul George, F Caleb Martin, C Andre Drummond, G Eric Gordon, G Reggie Jackson, F Guerschon Yabusele, G Jared McCain, C Adem Bona, F Justin Edwards, G-F David Jones, G Judah Mintz, and F-C Max Fiedler
The 76ers added a slew of solid role players that can contribute to their team, but the biggest addition by far was when they managed to sign Paul George away from the Clippers in the offseason. George is a superstar forward that will give Philadelphia an impact player, and he’s a versatile scorer that can do everything well when healthy.
Caleb Martin has been solid in the postseason, and Andre Drummond is a veteran center that will offer solid interior play and tremendous rebounding. Eric Gordon can score and play a 3 and D role off the bench. Reggie Jackson is an athletic playmaker that can provide scoring and defense off the bench. Guerschon Yabusele had a tremendous 2024 Olympics, and he is a high-flying combo forward that should make an impact to the 76ers in his return back to the NBA. Plus, the 76ers also added a slew of talented rookies that will compete for playing time this season.
Subtractions:
F Tobias Harris, G Buddy Hield, F-C Nicolas Batum, G De’Anthony Melton, F-C Paul Reed, G Cameron Payne, C Mo Bamba, and F Robert Covington
The 76ers lost a slew of talented role players that contributed to last year’s team. Amongst them, Harris was arguably their biggest loss, and they lost plenty of solid role players over the summer, but they also seemed to be able to make that back with their additions this season.
Rookies:
G Jared McCain, C Adem Bona, F Justin Edwards, G-F David Jones, G Judah Mintz, and F-C Max Fiedler
Jared McCain is a sharpshooting point guard that has the skills to contribute right away, and he will be a solid role player for them in the near future. Adem Bona is a very athletic, energetic center that will provide rim protection for the 76ers. Justin Edwards is a very athletic swingman that had an up and down freshman season, but he played much better in the second half, and he projects into a 3 and D role in the NBA. David Jones is coming off a strong season in college basketball, and his versatility should enable him to fit in well with the 76ers. Judah Mintz is an athletic point guard that will need to improve his jump shot, and adding more muscle to his frame could complement his strong, downhill driving style well. Max Fiedler is a passing big man whose ability to rack up assists could allow him to make their team.
Expected Rotation:
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Tyrese Maxey made his first All-Star team in 2024, and he has become one of the best guards in the Eastern Conference. (Photo: Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports, via Liberty Ballers)
The 76ers have a solid group of starters that are built around the talents of their reigning MVP, Joel Embiid. They have been able to rack up wins in the regular season, but have struggled to translate that to the postseason. This time around, they now have Paul George to help him and Tyrese Maxey, and that should at least help them get further in the playoffs in 2025 than how they fared last season.
Projected Starting Lineup:
Key Bench Players:
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Philadelphia native and former Villanova standout, Kyle Lowry returns home to play for the 76ers, and the former six-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion will be one of the best players off the bench and will provide veteran leadership for this team. (Photo: Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer)
The Rest of the Roster:
F KJ Martin (also known as Kenyon Martin Jr.)
G-F Ricky Council IV
G-F David Jones (Two-Way)
F Justin Edwards (Two-Way)
Others in Camp:
G Judah Mintz (Exhibit 10)
F-C Max Fiedler (Exhibit 10)
Head Coach:
The 76ers started off hot despite not having Harden, but after Joel Embiid got hurt midway through the regular season, they stumbled to a 6 seed, and while Embiid came back, they ran into a tough New York Knicks’ team that led to a first round exit for the 76ers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. (Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images, via Sixers Wire – USA Today)
Nick Nurse
2023-24 (PHI): 47-35, 2-4 in the playoffs
Coaching Career: 274-198, 27-20 in the NBA Playoffs, won 1 NBA title with the 2019 Toronto Raptors
Nick Nurse helped the 2019 Toronto Raptors win the NBA championship in his first year as a head coach. Last year, he helped the 76ers get off to a hot start and they were able to work with what they had with a solid crew of veterans on their roster, and Tyrese Maxey made his first NBA All-Star team.
However, Joel Embiid got hurt midway through the season, but later came back, but the 76ers ended up losing in six games to Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Luckily for the 76ers, they were able to add Paul George via free agency, and they will look to make a deeper playoff run this time around.
NBA Head Coach Rank: 17
Outlook:
The 76ers brought Guerschon Yabusele back to the NBA after he had a tremendous 2024 Olympics, and they could soar to new heights together in 2025. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, via Bleacher Report)
The 76ers have been a solid, mid-tier playoff team for years, but after coming off a disappointing first round exit, they have retooled and were able to sign Paul George in free agency. They’re hoping that adding another superstar will help them get further in the playoffs this time around, and they need to help Embiid and Maxey make a deeper playoff run. They lost some valuable role players, but were able to bring in other solid contributors, and the 76ers will be expected to go deep into the playoffs in 2025.
Projected 2024-25 Finish:
Expected Win-Loss Record: 47-35
Projected Regular Season Finish: 3rd in the Eastern Conference
Expected Playoff Finish: Projected to lose in the Eastern Conference Finals
Preseason NBA Power Ranking: 4
I went to Basketball-Reference and SalarySwish to look up some information for this write-up. It will be an exciting basketball season this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the season will unfold. Anyways, that is my write-up on my preview of the 2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers. Thanks for reading.