After a disappointing 24-58 season marred by injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers face a tough offseason decision.
Should Philly double down on their win-now core or pivot to a youth-driven rebuild?
With Joel Embiid’s knee issues casting a shadow over the team’s future and a valuable No. 3 overall pick in hand, the Sixers have some thinking to do.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently weighed in on their predicament, suggesting a high-stakes move that could reshape the Eastern Conference.
"The Philadelphia 76ers might like to think they can have it both ways by continuing to pursue wins on Joel Embiid and Paul George's timeline while also nurturing a younger core built around Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and this year's No. 3 overall pick," Hughes wrote.
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"That feels like a fantasy. Just ask the Golden State Warriors how the whole 'two timelines' thing worked out for them. Because Philadelphia's fate is tethered to Embiid's knees, it might as well dive all the way in on a high-risk, high-reward approach. Enter Kawhi Leonard, another All-NBA-caliber superstar whose health will remain a question mark for the rest of his career. Could the Sixers land Leonard for McCain, No. 3, and Paul George?"
"Might they build a similar deal around Tyrese Maxey, or would the full-circle nature of Leonard joining up with George again be too much to handle? Who can say? But if Philadelphia isn't going to move off Embiid in a start-over plan, it might as well double down on talented-but-unreliable veterans."
Hughes’ proposal to acquire Kawhi Leonard, a two-time NBA champion and perennial All-NBA talent, represents a huge gamble. Leonard, currently with the LA os Angeles Clippers, showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, notably a 39-point playoff performance against Denver. However, his injury history is even worse than Embiid's.
A trade package centered around George, McCain, and the No. 3 pick could appeal to the Clippers, who face their own uncertainties with an aging roster and no first-round picks until 2030.
The Sixers’ rationale for pursuing Leonard lies in maximizing Embiid’s prime. Despite playing only 19 games last season due to a meniscus tear, Embiid remains a dominant force when healthy.
Pairing him with Leonard, a lockdown defender and clutch scorer, could create a formidable duo capable of dominating in what's expected to be a weak Eastern Conference.
However, the trade’s cost is steep. McCain, a rookie standout before his own meniscus injury, and the No. 3 pick—potentially a talent like VJ Edgecombe—represent Philadelphia’s future. Including Maxey, a 24-year-old All-Star, would be even costlier, and that isn't something the 76ers should remotely consider.
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