Joel Embiid is scheduled to make his season debut on Tuesday, but he and his 76ers are in terrible shape.
Joel Embiid is poised to make his much-anticipated season debut on Tuesday, but as the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to face the challenges of the new campaign, they are far from the championship-contending team many hoped they would be. The season has already shown that the 76ers are in a state of disarray, both on and off the court, and Embiid’s return may not be enough to salvage a fractured season if the team’s internal issues are not addressed. Here’s a deeper look at the state of the 76ers and why their prospects this season are so grim despite Embiid’s elite talent.
1. The James Harden Saga
The most obvious and disruptive issue the 76ers have faced this season revolves around James Harden, the star guard who has demanded a trade all offseason. Harden’s strained relationship with the front office and his public desire to be moved has loomed large over the team. Despite reports of trade talks, including possible deals with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden has yet to be moved. This created a toxic atmosphere for the 76ers, with Harden’s diminished role on the team and his lack of commitment leading to tensions within the locker room.
The departure of Harden, a former MVP and one of the NBA’s top offensive players, would likely improve the team’s chemistry, but the process of trading him has been mired in drama. Harden has been disgruntled, sulking at times, and even sitting out of games. His on-court impact, when he did play, was inconsistent, as his body language often reflected his disinterest in the current situation. The 76ers’ front office has yet to strike an agreement on a deal that brings back enough value to maintain a championship-level roster, leaving the team in limbo.
The Harden drama has been an unnecessary distraction for a franchise that should be focused on competing for a title. Even if Harden is eventually traded, the saga will likely have a lasting impact on the team’s morale and public perception for the rest of the season.
2. Roster Construction and Depth Issues
In addition to the Harden drama, the 76ers’ roster has significant depth issues. While the team boasts one of the most dominant big men in the NBA in Joel Embiid, the roster around him is thin and lacks the depth needed to compete for a title. Tyrese Maxey, the young guard emerging as the team’s secondary star, has shown flashes of brilliance and is one of the few bright spots for the 76ers early in the season. However, relying heavily on Maxey as a secondary playmaker and scorer behind Embiid has its limitations. Maxey is still developing and lacks the consistency that a team with championship aspirations would need in a second option.
The 76ers also face major challenges with their bench depth. Outside of Maxey, the team doesn’t have enough reliable scoring options or defensive stalwarts to compete with top teams in the East. The lack of quality role players has put immense pressure on Embiid to carry the load, and this is only exacerbated by the absence of Harden. When Embiid returns, he will need to be at his best to lift a team that struggles to find scoring beyond him and Maxey. Even if he does play at an MVP level, the surrounding pieces need to step up for the 76ers to be a true contender.
Additionally, the 76ers’ supporting cast has been inconsistent at best. Players like Tobias Harris, who was expected to be a solid third option, have often underperformed and failed to be the reliable scorer and defender needed to complement Embiid. While Harris is a solid player, he has not consistently delivered on the expectations that come with his role and salary.
3. Joel Embiid’s Injury Concerns
Embiid’s season debut on Tuesday is a welcome sight for 76ers fans, but there is one critical factor that remains a concern: his health. The 76ers’ success hinges on Embiid’s ability to stay healthy, something that has been a challenge throughout his career. Embiid has dealt with multiple injuries, including knee and back problems, that have hindered his ability to play a full season. While he’s undoubtedly one of the most dominant forces in the game when healthy, there are always questions surrounding his durability.
If Embiid suffers another significant injury or is limited throughout the season, the 76ers’ hopes of contending for a title will quickly evaporate. Even if Embiid stays healthy, the team’s ceiling may still be capped if the roster around him doesn’t improve. The potential for injury, combined with the lack of depth, leaves the 76ers in a precarious position, no matter how good Embiid is.
4. Coaching and Front Office Issues
Another area of concern for the 76ers is the leadership and direction of the franchise. Head coach Nick Nurse, who was hired during the offseason, has had to navigate a tumultuous roster situation with a front office that seems directionless. While Nurse is a well-respected coach who led the Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship, it’s clear that the 76ers have not fully bought into his vision. Coaching a team under constant uncertainty with Harden’s trade request and Embiid’s injury concerns is no easy task.
On top of this, the 76ers’ front office has struggled to make the right moves in recent years. Their inability to secure a long-term solution for Harden and the lack of significant roster improvements have placed the franchise in an awkward position. The front office’s inability to add more talent around Embiid is one of the primary reasons the 76ers remain an underwhelming team despite having a superstar center.
5. The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, the 76ers are facing an uphill battle. The Eastern Conference is packed with elite teams, from the Boston Celtics to the Milwaukee Bucks, who have significantly improved their rosters. Even teams like the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, who are on the rise, pose a serious challenge. For the 76ers to compete at that level, they will need Embiid to stay healthy, Maxey to continue his development, and the front office to make a trade that adds meaningful talent. Until those things happen, however, they remain a team with a lot of potential but no clear path to success.
Embiid’s season debut may be a moment of hope for the 76ers, but given the dysfunction surrounding the team, it’s unlikely that one player, even someone as talented as Embiid, will be enough to overcome the myriad of challenges this team faces. The 76ers are in terrible shape, and until their internal issues are resolved, their chances of contending for an NBA championship this season appear slim at best.
