After years of a championship-or-bust mentality built around Joel Embiid’s immense basketball talents, not to forget complementary players such as Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and James Harden, the Philadelphia 76ers are quietly building something fresh, a youth movement. Centered around Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the Sixers front office might still be clinging to hopes that Embiid and Paul George can lead the team to an NBA title, but the writing is clearly on the wall for Daryl Morey to see.
With Embiid’s constant knee issues (among other injuries) and the failed Paul George experiment, rather than continuing to throw money away in an attempt to bring in another big-name free agent or via trade, the Sixers appear to be pivoting toward a core that could define the next era of basketball in Philadelphia. Ironically, in doing so, they may have the beginnings of one of the most exciting young trios in the league.
Maxey is the centerpiece of this rebuild. Coming off a 26.3 point, 6.1 assist breakout season, the fifth-year point guard was well on his way to another appearance at the All-Star game before injuries (a shocking occurrence in Philadelphia) derailed his season. At just 25 years old, when the 2025-26 season begins, Maxey is a two-way player entering the prime of his career. The question is, will Philadelphia’s front office fully commit to building around him as a franchise cornerstone?
Last season, Jared McCain was quietly putting together an impressive rookie season before, yup, you guessed it, an injury halted a potential Rookie of the Year campaign. In the little time he was on the court with Maxey, McCain showed flashes of being a legitimate secondary playmaker and floor spacer as a complementary backcourt piece for the young core. While he was absent from Summer League, the Sixers and their fans are optimistic that McCain will be ready come October.
Edgecombe, the third overall pick from this summer’s NBA Draft, is a bit of a wildcard. As shown in the Summer League, the 6’5” shooting guard from Baylor can light up the scoreboard. While Summer League play is always taken with a grain of salt in comparison to the regular season grind, Edgecombe’s athleticism and defensive instincts, combined with a growing offensive game, have coaches and fans hoping that he could be something special. After just a single season with the Bears, Edgecombe could find himself walking out with the starting five on opening night.
What makes this young trio appealing is the way that they complement each other. Maxey, the veteran of the group, provides the elite scoring and playmaking, McCain chipping in with the shooting, and Edgecombe leading the defense and high-flying transition attack. It’s the kind of balanced foundation that successful rebuilds need… young players who can grow together, feeding off each other’s strengths and covering their weaknesses. Think OKC Thunder and the Golden State Warriors.
The timeline for this trio aligns perfectly, as all three are either entering their primes or are years away from it. Unlike the patchwork project that “The Process” became, with management trying to find pieces to play with Embiid, the young trio can grow together organically.
What makes the Sixers rebuild somewhat unique is that they don’t exactly have to tank, like what happens in most situations. Maxey is good enough right now to keep the team competitive, while McCain and Edgecombe develop, giving the team a chance to battle for a playoff seed in the troubled East with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers dealing with their own injuries and retooling. Rather than a championship or bust mentality, the Sixers now have a more sustainable and realistic approach.
The cupboard in Philly isn’t completely bare beyond the three young pillars. Justin Edwards showed potential during his rookie season, averaging 10 points per game. Restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is capable of putting up big numbers or can be moved for a more favorable positional piece. Kelly Oubre has the talent and ability to drop 20-point nights, and then there are the veterans like Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond who can provide experience and leadership on and off the court.
The Eastern Conference is wide open with the Celtics and Pacers dealing with their situations, while the Milwaukee Bucks are in limbo, as are the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors. Canadian sportsbooks have taken notice of the potential parity in the Eastern Conference rankings, with the Sixers’ odds to make the playoffs improving as the market recognizes the weakened competition. No, the Sixers aren’t ready to compete for a title this season, but they could certainly surprise a number of teams, and smart bettors might find value in backing this young core as a favorite to exceed expectations, contending for a play-in berth.
Unfortunately for the Sixers fanbase that had to sit through “The Process” without anything to show for it, they are now being asked to sit through an entirely different rebuilding process. The question is, will the front office fully commit to the plan by embracing the youth movement? Unlike the previous era that was plagued by salary cap constraints, injuries, and egos, building around Maxey, McCain, and Edgecombe provides the team and fans the opportunity to build something special organically and let the trio define the franchise’s next era.
