The Philadelphia 76ers came into the season with championship hopes.
In what was one of the biggest NBA moves of recent years, the Sixers landed Paul George in free agency, signing the nine-time All-Star to a four-year, $212million contract.
On top of securing George, Philadelphia also re-signed Tyrese Maxey, last season’s Most Improved Player, and extended 2023’s MVP Joel Embiid.
It looked as if everything was falling into place for the Sixers, but fast-forward four months, and it’s clear things haven’t gone to plan.
Philadelphia are the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference, with a dismal 20-36 record.
Embiid, who signed a three-year, $193m contract extension last September, has been plagued by injury.
He has played in just 19 of 56 games this year and in their most recent outing, against the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid was benched in the fourth quarter and the 76ers got beat at the horn.
To add to the misery, reports suggest the Sixers and Embiid are consulting doctors and considering surgery for his injured left knee.
Both sides had hoped for progress in his condition, but Embiid’s determination to play and current treatments – including regular injections – have not led to any improvement.
George, meanwhile, has also played through pain at times, and has recently admitted he’s just ‘hanging in there’ to help his team.
It looks as if any chances of securing a berth in the NBA play-in tournament are fading, and with the added injury issues, Stephen A. Smith believes the Sixers’ season is already over.
Speaking on ESPN on Sunday night, the analyst described Philadelphia’s struggles as a ‘joke,’ urging the team to sit their injured stars and focus on the future.
“America, you don’t give a damn about the Sixers and neither do we,” Smith began.
“We’re reporting news (of Embiid considering surgery) because Shams (Charania) is great. He’s the best in the business.
“When he told you what he told you, basically what he said was lose. Lose so you can hold on to your lottery pick, that top six protected pick.
“You’ve got the perfect excuse because Paul George is injured. He’s not been healthy all year, even though he’s been on the court sometimes.
“Joel Embiid – when did he look good this year? When was he moving well this year? It has not been the case. They are done. This season is over.
“The city knows it. There’s no brotherly love for the Sixers. Lose. Sit Joel Embiid for the rest of the season and sit Paul George while you’re at it and just be done with it.
“Prepare for the next three years because this season is a joke. Nobody gives a damn about the Sixers because we know they’re not healthy.”
Smith is not the only one writing off the Sixers’ season, with plenty of fans feeling the same way.
It seems their offseason gamble has backfired, as the team are now tied to this core unless they decide to trade the likes of Embiid and George.
According to Spotrac, those two stars and Maxey combine to make about 90% of the salary cap every year until the 2027–2028 NBA season.
But even if the Sixers decide to cut their losses and move on, the franchise may not find any takers for their two injury-prone stars.
