The Philadelphia 76ers had an interesting 2024-25 season, but perhaps not everything was as it seemed.
Last season, the 76ers entered the year looking to compete for a title. With Joel Embiid expected to be back from his injury, the free agent addition of Paul George and Tyrese Maxey's All-Star leap, Philadelphia was seen as a top contender in the East.
However, as injuries piled up early in the season, the 76ers slowly crept down the conference standings. While there were a few mini-resurgences throughout the season, the 76ers rarely made it back into serious postseason contention.
With frustration and injuries mounting, the 76ers reportedly held a players-only meeting where ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Maxey called out Embiid. In recent weeks, Embiid was quoted in a story saying he knew who the source was who leaked that information to ESPN’s top NBA reporter. However, Charania doesn’t believe Embiid knows the source.
Shams on this story from last season:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) August 7, 2025
"I wouldn't say I received backlash for that story but I received a lot of who gave you that...who is your source? To me, those are the best stories is when no one knows who the source is...I know who my main source was" https://t.co/UYJLYzTPPB pic.twitter.com/Vkq6t2il6J
“I know who my main source was,” Charania said. “I’d be stunned if he knows who that was.”
Considering Charania has been one of the leaders in NBA news-breaking for the past decade, there isn’t much doubt that his information is correct. Meanwhile, Embiid’s claim that he knows the source will be almost impossible to affirm or deny unless he comes out and says who he thinks it is.
Overall, the 76ers have been a mess over the past few years. With Daryl Morey at the helm, it appears this nightmare might continue a while longer, but if the team can at least get some injury luck next season, Philadelphia might be able to be a dark horse contender.