PHILADELPHIA Joel Embiid carefully sat down ready to explain another season-ending playoff loss, a familiar sight for Philadelphia's frequently injured All-Star center. However, this time Tyrese Maxey was with him, just as he was on the court and as he's expected to be for the duration of their contracts.
Indeed, another disappointing season has been added to Embiid's best years.
Will his playoff luck ever change in Philly?
Perhaps this time the future will truly be different for the 76ers. After cycling through several sidekicks for Embiid over the past decade, the Sixers finally believe they have found the perfect partner for him in Maxey. Maxey's career has flourished this season, earning his first All-Star selection, the NBA's Most Improved Player award, and contributing a season-extending 46-point performance in a Game 5 victory in New York.
Embiid and Maxey. Maxey and Embiid.
It seems like something positive is on the horizon in Philly.
Just as it did with Embiid and Simmons. And Embiid and Butler. Despite the supposed dynamic duo, the only certainty in Philly is early playoff elimination. The Sixers' first-round loss to the Knicks marks 41 years since their last NBA championship. They haven't progressed beyond the second round since 2001, when Maxey was just seven months old.
“I still believe if everything went right, we had a chance,” Embiid said. “But everything didn’t go right.”
The 76ers went 31-8 in the regular season with Embiid, a pace equivalent to 65 wins, and a dismal 16-27 without him.
As Embiid performs, so do the Sixers.
He simply needs more assistance, and apart from Maxey, the 76ers were not equipped to provide it for him.
“Every single year it’s always been one person comes in, and the following year they’re gone,” Embiid said. “The same thing just kept happening, kept happening the last few years. This is really the first time where you got him, and obviously, (Maxey’s) taken a step, and he was amazing this year. One of the 10 best players in the world this year. And then you finally get the chance to build around it.”
The upcoming summer is crucial for team president Daryl Morey. The 76ers have the financial resources to construct a winning team around the 30-year-old Embiid, who has two more years and a player option remaining on his contract. Regardless, the 76ers are expected to undergo another transformation for next year.
SEE YA, TOBIAS
How was it possible for starting forward Tobias Harris to go scoreless in Game 6 — and take only two shots in 29 minutes — in what was all-but guaranteed to be his final game as a Sixer with his five-year, $180-million contract off the books.
Harris, one of the most unpopular Sixers this century, averaged 17 points in the regular season but just nine points in six playoff games. He went scoreless for the Sixers for the first time since he was acquired from the Clippers in February 2019.
“Not really thinking about that, but thanks,” he said, when asked about his potential Philly finale.
Sixers supporters are prepared to move forward — and the Sixers are too.
CAP SPACE
Harris leaving would help make more room in the salary cap and give the Sixers about $65 million to use this summer. Morey and team ownership have not been hesitant about spending, for instance, signing Embiid and Harris to maximum contracts. Maxey is set to get a big contract, with a maximum deal on the table for the restricted free agent. He could receive that offer as early as the start of free agency on June 30.
“We have some experience together and so I think that’s the way to go,” Embiid stated. “You just have to continue, keep building around it, and find the right combination of people to make it happen.”
FREE AGENCY
The Sixers were satisfied with the performance of Kelly Oubre Jr., Kyle Lowry, and Nic Batum, and all could be re-signed on one-year agreements.
But with money available, how about making a big move for a prominent free agent? The 76ers considered signing LeBron James in the past. How about taking another chance to see if he wants to pursue a championship with Embiid? Clippers forward Paul George could be a top priority. James and George would need to reject player options to enter the market. Sixers coach Nick Nurse won a championship in Toronto with Pascal Siakam and was an assistant coach with the Raptors when DeMar DeRozan was on the team. Both players are free agents and could be a good fit in Philly.
EMBIID’S FUTURE
Embiid was injured, once again. He played while dealing with Bell’s palsy in the postseason and on one good leg. Injuries are simply part of the package with Embiid, who has never played even 70 games in a season. Last season’s NBA MVP, Embiid is scheduled to compete in the Paris Olympics this summer for Team USA. While there's clearly value in playing with a team full of superstars — some who know how to win an NBA championship — do the Sixers really want the 7-footer logging more minutes in the summer when he could be resting, recovering, and aiming to enter training camp completely healthy?
“I feel like returning this year, I could have taken more time to heal and get back to my normal self,” he said. “That’s always been my mindset. I’ve always played through things, it’s never been an excuse and it’s not an excuse so, for me for the most part I was healthy.”