The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the 2024-25 NBA season with the addition of six-time NBA All-Star Paul George, this summer’s marquee free agent signing. The 76ers hope George can help them break the second-round ceiling they’ve been trapped under in the Joel Embiid era. He did the same for the Clippers by taking them to their first Conference Finals appearance as a franchise, so he’s coming with major hopes for a contending franchise.
The additions of Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, and Andre Drummond also show that the 76ers want to win now, and they’re going to have multiple solid rotation players on their roster with the likes of Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kenyon Martin Jr. returning from last season. They’ll be rounded out with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid as the star duo at the top.
The only question is, what five players will form the starting lineup? Here are a few possible options for the 76ers in a year they want to win it all.
Starting Lineup No 1: Traditional Lineup
Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Caleb Martin, Joel Embiid
The expected starting lineup for the Philadelphia 76ers should feature Tyrese Maxey at the point with Kelly Oubre Jr. in the backcourt. Paul George and Caleb Martin will make up a versatile frontcourt pair anchored by former MVP Joel Embiid. Maxey will feature as the primary ball-handler but has solid off-ball skills to use his gravity to ease pressure on Embiid inside. His offensive versatility will be Philly’s x-factor this season, as they look to integrate Paul George.
George has proven to be one of the best star 3-and-D forwards in the NBA, having the offensive capability to explode and lead the team or assimilate as an ace defender. PG will have more freedom to choose his spots and attack mismatches given the presence of Embiid and Maxey around, which could make him an even more efficient offensive threat. Any troughs in offense will be covered up by the talent around him. He might not average 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists like he did last season, but he will be effective at all times.
Oubre proved he’s a starter over last season with the 76ers and is one of the few holdovers from last season’s roster. He averaged 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds, proving he can be a defensive presence next to Maxey while being an easy fit into the offense as an improving shooter. Martin is a low-maintenance versatile wing defender, who can hit 3-pointers when relied upon.
This is a well-spaced lineup with defenders and could be among the best fives in the NBA next season, provided Embiid is available and contributing like a perennial MVP candidate.
Starting Lineup No 2: Offensive Lineup
Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Paul George, Caleb Martin, Joel Embiid
Oubre proved his effectiveness off the bench last season in the 16 games he didn’t start. While he would be a better fit as a starter, he could be more impactful off the bench given the 76ers’ top-heavy roster. In that case, Nick Nurse could use the offensive talents of Eric Gordon as a starter next to Maxey. While Gordon doesn’t bring the same athleticism or motor as Oubre, he is a seamless offensive player who thrives in star-led systems.
Gordon averaged 11.0 points last season and has proven to be more comfortable as a starter. While his offensive talents could be used off the bench alongside a veteran guard like Kyle Lowry, he might be more effective playing alongside the star trio of Maxey, George, and Embiid, using their gravity to get cleaner looks. Gordon as an offensive focus could create issues off the bench, so it might be more optimal for him to start alongside the stars.
The bench is bolstered by getting Oubre’s solid all-around play alongside the likes of Lowry, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Andre Drummond.
Starting Lineup No 3: Athletic Lineup
Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Kenyon Martin Jr., Joel Embiid
The 76ers’ roster comes off a little top-heavy because they have a solid bench without many trusted starting players. Playing Maxey alongside another ball-focused guard could be redundant given the offensive talents in the starting lineup, so players like Jared McCain, Kyle Lowry, or Reggie Jackson aren’t optimal starters. The other players are far too inexperienced (alongside McCain) such as Adem Bona or Ricky Council IV. This means any other starting lineup variation has to feature recent re-signee Kenyon Martin Jr.
Kenyon is only 24 years old and averaged 3.7 points and 2.2 rebounds last season. He hasn’t proven to be anything more than a solid athletic forward who has a developing shot. But his athleticism could be a tool the 76ers can utilize next to George and Oubre. They’re all versatile swingmen/forwards and could create an explosive lineup that can play off Embiid and Maxey perfectly.
Martin Jr.’s shot will need to improve to more than 28.6% to make this lineup a reality. Otherwise, Nurse might trust his former championship-winning point guard Lowry to make it work with Maxey in the backcourt and be a proven 3-and-D presence who could be a secondary ball-handler and creator. But Martin Jr. as a 6’7″ forward is the more optimal fit with Maxey as the primary guard, as George will also be a featured on-ball player alongside Embiid’s high usage in the paint. They need a workman forward, and Martin Jr. could be that as an improved shooter and athletic defender.
Which Lineup Should The 76ers Use?
It’s a pretty easy answer for me. Their traditional lineup is by far the best option. It combines the best talents on their roster who all fit together in a theoretical sense. All their lineups will be hard to gauge, as we are seeing Paul George be added to this team after years on the Clippers where he was either the No. 1 or 2 offensive option. Even with James Harden there, George was more prominently featured within the offense due to his versatility.
With George likely being the third option behind a pure scorer like Maxey and a former MVP in Embiid, his robust defensive and off-ball skill set makes this a tantalizing big three. They just need serviceable 3-and-D players next to these three, which Oubre and Martin are ideal for. It’s a well-balanced lineup. While it might not compete with the well-balanced and five All-Star lineup of the Celtics on talent, it could be their biggest threat on the court.
Starting Gordon is an option and starting Martin Jr. is an option, but the starting five if everyone is healthy is pretty clear. Players like Lowry will also show their utility in starting spots throughout an 82-game season, but Maxey, Oubre, George, Martin, and Embiid give Philly the best shot at success.
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