Are the Sixers Savvy – or Showing Signs of Desperation?

Once upon a time, the Philadelphia 76ers – after years of mediocrity – decided that something needed to change with their organization. So, General Manager Sam Hinkie devised something new – a big and bold plan that consisted of three parts:

1. Be bad. Be badder than bad. Be downright horrible.

2. Use that horribleness to get ping pong balls in the draft with the lowest possible numbers.

3. Celebrate multiple championships and perhaps commission statues for those inevitably Hall-of-Fame-bound draft picks.

I’ve previously written about Philly’s dubious “Process,” and while the first two stages of this plan went off without a hitch, it’s that last one that hit a few bumps in the road. There have been no championships or even any trips to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Sixers. And maybe Joel Embiid will one day be immortalized in bronze, but you can bet that top-pick flameouts Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, and Jahlil Okafor won’t be.

It’s pretty safe to say that the Process is officially over in Philadelphia. The team no longer appears to be interested in building through the draft or handing the reins over to young up-and-comers. For example, after a mere 60 games played, 2024 first-round pick Jared McCain was shipped to Oklahoma City. It didn’t take him long to become a key contributor on a championship-caliber squad, and the trade is considered by some to be one of the worst moves the organization has made in recent years.

The real pivot with the Sixers seemed to come before the 2024-25 when the team signed 34-year-old, oft-injured Paul George to a four-year max deal worth more than $200 million. The goal was to pair him with 30-year-old, oft-injured Embiid, who signed an extension a couple of months later for nearly $200 million, to create a potent duo. But after just 42 games played together over the course of two seasons, Philly sent George to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown.

Then, of course, LeBron decided to come to town. Now, when the GOAT (or perhaps GOAT-adjacent, depending on whom you talk to) says he wants to play for your team, you sign him up. But, was this a savvy strategy – or does it signify something else?

Said one Eastern Conference executive of the moves to acquire Brown and James. “I can totally see why they did it. They're desperate. They needed to do something else before they get through to the next thing.”

On paper, the starting lineup of James, Brown, and Embiid – along with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe – looks fierce. But with only one ball to go around, many are questioning exactly how it will work. For instance, when Philly’s down one with a few seconds left, who’s taking the shot? Perhaps more importantly – what happens with the guy who doesn’t get his number called?

It will be fascinating in particular to watch Brown in this new dynamic. It’s been reported that he is willing to sacrifice to win and that he’s approaching this stint in Philadelphia with “no ego.” But there’s been speculation that he was unhappy playing second fiddle to Jayson Tatum in Boston, so what if he’s the second (or third or fourth) option with the Sixers? What if he’s on the bench in crunch time? Does he cheer on his teammates or does he go home and post videos to complain about it?

Here’s another factor that can’t be overlooked: For the most part, James and Brown were popular in their former respective cities, as each helped their team win a title. But in Philadelphia, they’re basically starting from scratch. If the team gets off to a slow start or maybe loses a few games in a row, the fans – along with the media – won’t be shy about showing their displeasure. How will they react when they go through a slump and the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t feel so loving?

The real loser in all of this could very well be Tyrese Maxey. Every year he’s gotten better, and last season he led the team in points, assists, and steals. Most games he was clearly their best player, but often he had to defer to Embiid and George. Now with Brown and James in the mix, he may see his shot attempts plummet.

With Maxey perhaps not even in his prime yet, he should be the face of the 76ers. He and Edgecombe – coming off a terrific rookie campaign – could be team cornerstones for the next decade, long after James, and possibly Embiid, have hung up their sneakers. But instead, thanks to all of the hullabaloo surrounding the offseason and James’ impending retirement tour, Maxey will almost certainly be overshadowed – to the potential detriment of both the team and his professional growth.

And when Maxey’s contract ends in three years, who’s to say he won’t seek another team that will actually want him to be their franchise player, as opposed to having to placate a 40-year-old Kevin Durant or whoever else the team decides to bring in?

Even if the Sixers have a tumultuous season, winning acts like a salve, and everything will seem worth it if the team brings home its first championship in over 40 years. But if they don’t win? This will be seen as a massive failure, and it may be time to go back to the drawing board to whip up yet another Process.