76ers are backed into a corner with no escape plan in sight

The Philadelphia 76ers will definitely enter the 2025-26 season as the most unpredictable team in the leaguie. On paper, this squad should be poised to make it into the postseason loop with utter ease, but in reality, a lot of people have serious doubts about whether they can even get back to the level where in not too long ago.

Purely based on the stylings of their roster, the 76ers have one of the most talented crews in the league. That is without a shadow of doubt. But circumstances make it difficult to imbue much confidence on this team, especially with their biggest weakness being something they just have no control over.

Most prominent is the fact that this team is relying on two All-Stars who can’t even get on the floor with consistency. Joel Embiid and Paul George missed a combined 104 games last season, and things do not appear to be headed for the better. Both stars are expected to miss the start of the upcoming season — In Embiid’s case, it’s his nebulous rehab while for George, there’s a brand new injury out there.

But of course, that is far from the only thing that is sour for the franchise. The front office has bigger worries beyond their injuries, and those make the 76ers probably the most “handcuffed” team in the league.

The 76ers are stuck with Joel Embiid and Paul George

Philadelphia has one of the most loaded payrolls in the association, led by those players. Joel Embiid’s mammoth extension runs until 2029, while Paul George will be on the team’s books until 2028 at most.

As a result, the 76ers will most likely not going to be able to trade either of them. Both are oft-injured stars who are on the wrong side of 30, already in a state of a career decline, and are no longer viable top options on a contending team.

The 76ers are stuck with Embiid and George, and despite the brilliance of Tyrese Maxey, he is not someone who should be a No. 1 option on a franchise with championship aspirations. To make matters worse, the aforesaid duo will severely hamper the front office’s ability to construct a well-rounded roster moving forward.

Unless both of them turn in grand comebacks this season, the Philadelphia 76ers will have to deal with this rather grim status quo for quite some time. And for that, they really only have themselves to blame.