The 76ers made waves in the 2024 offseason by landing Paul George, adding another elite scorer and defender next to Joel Embiid. On paper, this duo gives Philly one of the most dangerous lineups in the league. But after a few playoff exits and roster changes over the past seasons, it’s clear the Philadelphia 76ers can’t just rely on star power alone to get over the hump. From figuring out their new team chemistry to addressing depth and staying healthy through a long season, the Sixers face several challenges if they want to make a deep playoff push. George is a big piece, but Philly still has work to do to make it all click.
1. Avoiding Injuries At The Worst Times
Injuries have been a recurring nightmare for the 76ers, and they can’t afford that again if they want to contend in 2025. Joel Embiid, as dominant as he is, has struggled to stay fully healthy in the playoffs. Just look at last season—Philly got bounced in the first round by the Knicks, and a big part of that was because Embiid was far from 100%. He missed games late in the regular season due to knee issues and was visibly limited in the postseason, which basically took the 76ers out of their rhythm. This pattern is nothing new for the Sixers. Embiid has consistently dealt with health problems when they’ve needed him most, and now with the addition of Paul George, managing both stars’ health becomes even more crucial.
Speaking of George, he’s not exactly known for being the picture of health either. Throughout his career, George has missed significant chunks of games, especially in recent playoff runs. From shoulder surgeries to hamstring strains and knee problems, his body has taken a beating over the years. In the 2023 playoffs with the Clippers, George was forced to sit out the first round due to a knee sprain, which contributed to their early exit. The 76ers are banking on his talent to push them over the top, but they have to be prepared for the possibility that George won’t always be available when the stakes are highest. This risk looms large as they build around a core that’s already had its share of injury issues.
That’s why depth is going to be key for the 76ers this season. Luckily, they’ve made some smart moves in the offseason to address this. Bringing back Andre Drummond gives them a solid backup at center who can eat up minutes during the regular season, allowing Embiid to take some well-needed load management days. The same goes for Kelly Oubre Jr., whose energy and scoring punch off the bench can help ease the burden on George. The 76ers can’t afford to overwork their stars, especially when they know their window for success is so dependent on everyone staying healthy come playoff time.
Still, depth alone won’t be enough. The Sixers need to be strategic with how they manage Embiid and George’s minutes throughout the season. Load management might not be the most popular strategy, but in today’s NBA, it’s essential for players with injury histories like these two. With the brutal pace of an 82-game season followed by a grueling playoff run, the 76ers need to make sure they’re not asking too much from their stars too soon. The goal is to make it to the playoffs with Embiid and George healthy, or they’ll be facing another disappointing early exit.
2. Who Takes The Last Shot?
With two superstars like Joel Embiid and Paul George, the question of who gets the ball in crunch time is unavoidable. For years, Embiid has been the Sixers’ go-to guy when the clock’s winding down. He’s got the size and skill to get buckets in the post, but adding George into the mix raises new dynamics. George, known for his perimeter shot and ability to create his own looks, brings a different dimension to late-game situations. This creates a balancing act between two alpha players who’ve been “the guy” on their respective teams for years.
But the situation gets even more interesting with Tyrese Maxey in the picture. Maxey’s breakout performance in the 2024 playoffs, especially his clutch showing in Game 5 against the Knicks, can’t be ignored. He dropped 46 points, including a cold-blooded four-point play and a game-saving 34-foot three-pointer in overtime. Maxey has shown that he thrives under pressure, and he’s proven that he can be just as deadly in crunch time as the bigger names on the roster. With his fearless mentality, he could very well demand his share of the spotlight when the game’s on the line.
The challenge for the 76ers will be deciding who takes the final shot when all three are on the court. Embiid is a beast in the post, but late-game situations often call for a guard to create their own shot or pull up from deep, which plays to George and Maxey’s strengths. However, mixing multiple star-level options could create tension if roles aren’t clearly defined. George has had moments in his career where clutch shots didn’t fall his way (remember the “Pandemic P” narrative), but he’s also had heroic moments. Maxey’s youth and confidence, paired with Embiid’s MVP status, will make for an interesting dynamic moving forward.
At the end of the day, having too many options in crunch time is a good problem to have, but it can quickly become a source of friction if not handled right. The Sixers need to ensure that everyone is comfortable with their role and that there’s a clear plan for these situations. Whether it’s George, Embiid, or Maxey, what really matters is that they trust each other when the pressure is on.
3. Defining Maxey’s Role: Second Star Or Third Option?
The rise of Tyrese Maxey during the 2024 season and playoffs has sparked debate over his role within the 76ers’ pecking order. Is he their clear second option now, or does Paul George automatically take that spot? Maxey’s playoff heroics, especially in the clutch, make a strong case for him being more than just a complementary player. His ability to take over games when it matters most, as seen in the series against the Knicks, makes him deserving of a bigger role, but it also sets the stage for potential friction.
Paul George, on the other hand, comes in with the pedigree of a multi-time All-Star and someone who has been a first option for most of his career. George’s arrival naturally puts him in line to be the second guy behind Embiid, but the Sixers can’t ignore how much Maxey’s game has grown. If Maxey is relegated to a third option role, it could lead to some ego struggles, especially after his big-time performances when the team needed him most.
Balancing the offensive hierarchy will be critical for head coach Nick Nurse. George and Maxey are both capable of carrying the scoring load, but the question remains: can they coexist without stepping on each other’s toes? If the team can’t establish a clear pecking order early, it could lead to unnecessary tension on the court, with both George and Maxey wanting the ball in key moments. Finding the right balance between the two will be one of the biggest challenges for the Sixers this season.
Ultimately, this is a good problem for Philly to have—two elite perimeter players vying for a prominent role. But if not handled properly, it could turn into a distraction. Nurse will need to define roles early to keep everyone on the same page and prevent any lingering ego issues that could derail their title hopes.
4. Lack Of Size Next To Embiid
One of the glaring weaknesses for the 76ers entering the 2024-25 season is their lack of size alongside Joel Embiid. While Embiid remains an elite rim protector and dominant force inside, the team’s frontcourt depth lacks the physical presence needed to battle the bigger lineups in the league. Behind Embiid, the Sixers have veteran Andre Drummond and rookie Adem Bona, but neither are ideal fits to play significant minutes next to him due to spacing and mobility concerns.
Kelly Oubre Jr., while versatile defensively, isn’t a true power forward. The lack of a traditional big man who can share the floor with Embiid could cause issues when they face teams with strong frontcourts like the Milwaukee Bucks or Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers did retool with versatile wings like Caleb Martin, but he too lacks the size to be a long-term solution next to Embiid. This could leave the team vulnerable in terms of rebounding and interior defense when Embiid is resting or facing double teams in the post.
Nick Nurse may need to get creative with lineups, utilizing Guerschon Yabusele or even relying on more zone defense to hide this lack of size. While the NBA is shifting toward more positionless basketball, the Sixers still need a bigger body to complement Embiid against physical teams. This remains a key area for improvement if they want to go deep in the playoffs.
5. Finding A New Lockdown Defender
The departure of Matisse Thybulle left a void in the 76ers’ defensive scheme, as he was their primary lockdown defender on the perimeter. While Paul George brings excellent two-way play, the Sixers could still use another elite defender who can guard multiple positions and take on the toughest assignments. Relying solely on George and Kelly Oubre Jr. could wear them down over the course of the season, and with the Eastern Conference full of scoring threats like Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and Donovan Mitchell, having a dedicated stopper is crucial.
George is still one of the best defensive wings in the game, but at 34 years old and with a history of injuries, it’s not ideal for him to take on every challenging assignment, especially during the regular season. The Sixers’ current roster lacks that “Thybulle type”—a player who can come off the bench, bring high energy, and focus purely on locking down the opposition’s best scorer. Without this kind of player, the 76ers may struggle to contain elite perimeter players when it matters most.
The Sixers could try to fill this gap internally, but they might also need to explore trade or free-agent options to find that defensive ace. Caleb Martin and Guerschon Yabusele will provide hustle and effort on defense, but they don’t quite match the unique skillset Thybulle brought. If the 76ers want to solidify their contender status, adding a player who can take on tough defensive assignments would be a game-changer.
At last, in today’s NBA, defense wins championships, and finding the right player to step into this role is one of the final pieces Philly needs to figure out. Without a true lockdown defender, they’ll have to hope their collective team defense can compensate when going up against the league’s top scorers.
