Raise a hand if the following conversation sounds familiar.

Person 1: “Do you think the 76ers will be good this season?”

Person 2: “Yeah, I think they have a chance to make a real run in the East, if they can stay healthy.”

I’ve had various versions of that conversation a seemingly infinite number of times over the past handful of years. When it comes to the Joel Embiid-led Sixers, uncertainty has become the only certainly, and unfortunately the 2025-26 season will be more of the same.

On paper, this Sixers squad could potentially compete for a top spot in a seemingly open Eastern Conference. Arguably the top two teams from the conference last season – the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers – will both be without their top guy for most, if not all, of the upcoming season, and there could be a void at the top of the conference as a result.

But Philadelphia’s ability to climb back into the contender conversation in the conference will depend almost entirely on the health of Joel Embiid – and Paul George to a lesser extent. Both players were extremely limited last season, and both are coming off offseason knee procedures. Both also happen to be on the other side of 30 with extensive injury histories. Betting on their continued health moving forward would be a risky wager.

Embiid spoke to media members for the first time in months at the team’s media day, and although he said he felt better, and more optimistic, than he did at the same time a year ago, he fell short of providing any definitive details regarding his return to the court, or his workload for the upcoming season.

And that’s because he doesn’t have any. Embiid himself doesn’t know how his knee will respond this season. Neither does the team. So, there’s no point in predictions.

“We’re not getting into the expectations game,” Sixers president of basketball operations said at media day. “… What Joel said about listening to his body, which is a big component on how doctors manage injuries, that’s going to be what carries the day this year.”

All the team, and Embiid, can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

“The goal is to play consistently and not be in the situation we were in last year,” Embiid said.

Then there’s George, who was limited to just 41 games during his first season with the Sixers. Like Embiid, there was no timetable provided for George’s return, but the star forward confirmed that he wouldn’t be a full participant at the onset of training camp.

“I’m getting better and better. Feeling stronger and stronger,” George said. “This next couple of weeks is very important, leading into the start of the season, opening night, all of that stuff. All I can do is just focus on doing that, day after day, taking it one day at a time. I do think I will be at a good place, hopefully, earlier than later.”

While it sounds like Embiid and George are both trending in the right direction, Sixers fans will be forgiven for not feeling super optimistic about the vague updates provided by the two highest-paid players on the team.

The organizational uncertainty also extends beyond the two well-compensated veterans. Second-year guard Jared McCain will miss the first chunk of the season after suffering a UCL tear in his right thumb that required surgery the day before media day. This comes after McCain was limited to just 23 games as a rookie due to a meniscus tear. When will he return to action? And how will he respond from two separate surgeries? Those are legitimate questions facing a player who is expected to shoulder a substantial role for the Sixers this season.

Then there’s Quentin Grimes, who was a no-show at media day as he and the Sixers have yet to agree on a new deal for the free agent. The stalemate between the two sides stretched over the entirety of summer and into the fall, though Morey is optimistic that a deal will get done in the near future.

“I think we’ll get to a resolution in the next few days, hopefully,” Morey said. “We’re excited to bring him back. Quentin’s a big part of what we’re trying to do, now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”

The sooner the Sixers can get things figured out with Grimes the better, especially in light of McCain’s injury. But until Grimes actually puts pen to paper on a new deal, uncertainty will linger regarding his future with the franchise.

There’s also the uncertainty of how good top pick V.J. Edgecombe will be as a rookie. Edgecombe received rave reviews from all of his teammates at media day, as they lauded his competitive drive and work ethic. But will Edgecombe be able to make an immediate impact as a 20-year-old rookie, or will his development take some time?

Edgecombe’s addition certainly provides a reason for optimism amid the cloud of unknowns, as does the continued development of Tyrese Maxey, who is entering his sixth season in the league. So, at least there’s that, because otherwise it’s tough to feel too confident about a franchise facing so much uncertainty at the start of the season.

 

 

Follow Michael Kaskey-Blomain on X @therealmikekb.