The Philadelphia 76ers’ struggles continue, showing no signs of improvement. After a four-game winning streak, they have now dropped four of their last five, including a disappointing loss to the Detroit Pistons. What makes the defeat even more concerning is that it came on one of the rare occasions when Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George all played together.
While Maxey and Embiid put up solid performances, George has yet to meet expectations since signing a four-year, $212 million contract in the summer. When he joined the team, the Sixers were seen as championship contenders for the coming years, but now they are in danger of missing even the play-in tournament.
Maxey has often stepped up, but Embiid and George have struggled. Though Embiid remains an elite talent, his ongoing health issues raise concerns about his long-term future at just 30 years old. Meanwhile, George’s production has declined significantly since joining the team, and his contract is already being questioned.
With the Sixers’ season unraveling, some are wondering if it’s time to abandon “The Process” and start a rebuild. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins is among those calling for drastic changes, stating, “Trade them both.” He believes Embiid and George are holding Maxey back, comparing the Sixers’ situation to the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Durant’s future with the Phoenix Suns.
If the 76ers’ season ends in failure—which is not just possible but increasingly likely—it may be time to hand Tyrese Maxey the keys to the franchise and move on from veterans like Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Rookie Jared McCain was also emerging as a standout prospect and a strong Rookie of the Year candidate before his injury. If Philadelphia opts for a rebuild, they could construct a new core around Maxey and McCain, shifting away from the years of false hope and disappointment that have defined The Process.
