Sixers’ Executive Gets Honest on Building Around Injuries

Injuries, particularly Joel Embiid's ongoing knee issues, have hampered the Philadelphia 76ers' success in recent seasons. Recognizing this persistent challenge, the Sixers entered the summer with a strategy to build for two scenarios: one featuring a fully healthy team with Embiid and Paul George performing at their best, and another accounting for continued injuries limiting their championship window.

A Sixers front office executive explained this "build two different teams" approach to Keith Smith of Spotrac. The team acknowledged key players' injury histories and aimed to create depth while having alternative talent to pivot to. This requires the coaching staff to manage multiple playing styles: a championship-caliber approach when veterans are healthy, and a faster style leveraging younger players when injuries necessitate it. The front office expressed confidence in the coaching staff's ability to handle this dual strategy.

Aligning with this plan, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey stated a key offseason goal was adding younger, more athletic talent to the rotation. He noted that nearly every likely rotation player around Embiid and George is 27 or 28 years old or younger, making the team younger and more athletic. Coach Nick Nurse now has a roster capable of playing an up-tempo, transition-heavy game, though the team remains potent in half-court sets with Embiid and George.

However, Joel Embiid revealed he currently has no timeline for returning to on-court activities. He emphasized the importance of results and the risk of returning too early and not being effective. The Sixers, understanding that contending requires a healthy Embiid, are expected to take a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing his availability for the critical later stages of the season over the opening games.