How much longer can the Sixers kid themselves?

The 2024-25 NBA season was a disaster for the Philadelphia 76ers. Injuries to forward Paul George and center Joel Embiid derailed the franchise's push for a championship before it ever got started. A lack of frontcourt depth also played a role in how much Nick Nurse's team floundered through the campaign. 

General manager Daryl Morey has stuck by his roster as we head into the 2025 offseason. Outside of losing forward Guerschon Yabusele to the New York Knicks in free agency, last season's rotation remains largely intact. Of course, there has been the addition of impressive rookie guard VJ Edgecombe. 

However, Morey clearly hopes that once George and Embiid are back on the court, everything else will fall into place. The problem is, there's no guarantee either star can stay healthy, and that has always been the risk.

Philadelphia's preparations for the 2025-26 campaign are already showing warning signs, too. According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, Embiid is yet to return to on-court basketball activities. The former MVP underwent a second arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April. 

"It’s been almost a year and a half since the knee injury he suffered at Golden State derailed him for most of the 2024-25 season, and Morey says Embiid is 'on track' to be healthy for training camp, the start of the preseason and the start of the regular season," Jones wrote. "League sources tell The Athletic that Embiid still hasn’t returned to on-court basketball activities. That said, Morey and the front office remain optimistic that Embiid will be on the floor for the season opener."

Getting Embiid back on the court is only the first step in preparing him for the new season. He will still need to develop his conditioning and regain his rhythm. There will likely be some ugly games for him to begin the campaign. However, the longer he remains off the court, the tougher it will be for him to be ready on opening night.

Morey has built a roster around two of the most injury-prone stars in the NBA. Hoping that both stay healthy for an entire season, at the exact same time, is akin to buying a lottery ticket to pay rent. 

The Sixers have an exciting young core developing in the wings. Guards Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and Edgecombe are the future of the franchise. If Embiid suffers another setback or doesn't see the season through, it's time to end his tenure with the franchise. You can't keep paying him in the hope that he gets you to the finish line. History tells you that he will either run out of gas or suffer an injury. 

Embiid has played in 35.7% of the Sixers' available games over the last two seasons. You can't build a contender around that level of unreliability. Sooner or later, Morey must accept the truth. Otherwise, the Sixers will continue to falter their way to disappointment.