The Philadelphia 76ers entered the previous season with championship hopes. It was James Harden’s first season with the team in its entirety. Both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were robust and on the rise.
The season concluded in a manner that was all too familiar: with a second-round loss to the Boston Celtics and a complete collapse as soon as Philadelphia made progress toward a potential victory and a breakthrough in the conference finals. Jayson Tatum scored 51 points in the Celtics’ Game 7 victory, sending the Sixers back to the drawing board once more.
Early in the summer, Embiid planted the seeds for his eventual departure by contemplating the possibility of capturing a championship somewhere other than Philadelphia. However, the Sixers were in control of re-signing Harden. In light of the Bucks’ drubbing in the first round and the Celtics’ lackluster performance in the conference finals, the outlook wasn’t all that bleak.
Now, the prognosis is certainly negative.
The Sixers destroyed their relationship with Harden through obstinate, exceptionally rule-abiding negotiations. Harden has spent the offseason partying in the United States and publicly slamming Sixers general manager Daryl Morey in China, a nation known to despise Morey. There is a possibility that he will not show up to training camp in a few days, as he desires a trade.
That is unacceptable. Embiid has already been through the transfer request routine an excessive number of times. How many exceptional point guards can possibly be retained after training camp? The Sixers should consult the Guinness World Book of Records.
But, the Sixers’ offseason took another southbound turn this week, when the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard. The Celtics then decided to pour salt in the wound by trading for Jrue Holiday.
