The Philadelphia 76ers have the second-worst record in the NBA. If the season ended today, the Sixers would be tied for the highest odds to get the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Sixers did not have that in mind coming into the season. After their offseason moves, they signaled their intentions to try again for a title. Of course, things have not gone according to plan.
They are 3-13, Joel Embiid’s long-term health status remains in limbo, and Paul George has fallen well short of expectations. It's not too late, but Philadelphia must consider if it’s worth trying to dig themselves out of such a deep hole.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey started a poll on X, asking a question worth pondering.
“Should the 76ers forget about trying to make a push for a deep NBA postseason run and tank for Cooper Flagg?”
Why the Sixers should consider this
The Sixers owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a top-six protected first-round pick in 2025 as part of the deal they agreed to when they traded Al Horford for Danny Green in 2020.
While hindsight is 20/20, the Sixers have been bad enough that they may not want to risk potentially losing that pick to the Thunder. Oklahoma City already boasts one of the NBA’s best rosters, so adding a high lottery pick to their current core makes the rich get richer.
Before the season started, the Sixers likely didn’t care about that wrinkle because they figured they would be good enough to stomach giving up a late first-round pick.
Since that likely isn’t in the cards now, and giving up a high lottery pick to an elite team is, these next few weeks will be very telling of where Philadelphia goes from here.
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