Last summer set up this quiet offseason and the dreaded dual timeline for the Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers have had a quiet offseason, largely due to constraints stemming from last summer's major signings. With significant money tied up in players like Paul George and Joel Embiid, and the restrictive "second apron" looming, the team has limited financial flexibility for major moves. Team president Daryl Morey's philosophy also contributes, as he avoids trades without receiving value in return, exemplified by holding onto Tobias Harris throughout his contract.

The team faces challenges with its core assets. Trading Paul George or Joel Embiid is currently impractical because their value is low due to large contracts and injury histories; moving them would likely require attaching valuable assets like draft picks or young players, which isn't desirable. While Tyrese Maxey is a highly valuable young star, trading him makes no sense. Other players like Jared McCain (needing more evaluation), Kelly Oubre Jr. (valuable now or later), and young players hold more value to the Sixers than they would likely return in a trade.

Given these limitations, the Sixers focused on marginal additions. They signed Trendon Watford to a minimum contract, viewing him as an intriguing piece who could play a significant role alongside the guards and stars. Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow were added on two-way deals, providing depth at needed positions while fitting a younger, more dynamic profile.

However, the article argues the Sixers are in a difficult position largely of their own making. The "all-in" moves of signing George and extending Embiid had disastrous results in year one due to injuries. While trading the stars now would be costly, making another major win-now move is senseless given their health uncertainty. This leaves the team stuck in a "dual timeline" corner, trying to compete now while also developing youth.

The strategy going forward is clear: hope for health from Embiid and George, but prepare for the opposite. If Embiid misses time, young big men like Adem Bona, Johni Broome, and the newly signed forwards (Watford, Walker, Barlow) will see increased roles, with a reported organizational mandate for a youth movement. If George is injured, Coach Nick Nurse will experiment heavily with three-guard lineups featuring Maxey, McCain, rookie VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, needing to assess their fit and defensive capabilities.

Despite the lack of headline moves, the team is expected to look significantly different next season due to these internal developments and the integration of young players, even if the core stars remain the same.