If you had told the NBA world in August that tanking might be on the table for the Philadelphia 76ers, you would have been called crazy.
Yet, just past the midway point of the 2024-2025 season, the once-unthinkable decision looms large for a team struggling to find its footing.
As of Jan. 26, the Sixers are 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-27 record, far below expectations for a team that entered the season with championship aspirations. Injuries have ravaged their roster, leaving this group with one of their more challenging campaigns in recent memory.
Joel Embiid is out with a hurt left knee (he has played just 13 games this season), ROY favorite Jared McCain is out for the rest of the year after receiving surgery for a torn left meniscus, and now Paul George, who has had his share of bone bruises this season, sustained a left pinkie injury in a Jan. 25 win against the Chicago Bulls.
The question now is whether the Sixers should cut their losses and tank for a chance at a brighter future or attempt to rally their remaining healthy players for a late-season push.
The Case for the Sixers to Tank
The Sixers are no strangers to tanking, and for good reason— tanking has clear and enticing rewards. Namely, draft picks. In Philadelphia’s first bout with tanking — “The Process” — their labor yielded four top-three first-round picks (Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, respectively).
In this situation, they can retain their 2025 first-round draft pick. This pick is top-six protected, so if the Sixers finish the season near the bottom of the standings — which they are on pace to accomplish — and their pick lands in the top six, they will have the chance to add a young player from what is projected to be one of the more talent-rich drafts in recent years.
The risk is that they could tank and still miss the top six, handing their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a stockpile of draft capital, without having the benefit of playoff experience for their younger players.
The Case for Pushing Forward
Conversely, the Sixers could also take the more ambitious route and fight for a play-in spot. While this might not lead to a deep playoff run, it could serve as a valuable opportunity for lesser-experienced players to get their feet wet in the post-season waters while building overall team chemistry.
There is also the question of optics. For a team that prides itself on its grittiness and work ethic, tanking could send the wrong message to fans and players alike. A mid-season white flag could potentially discourage Embiid or George from fully committing to the team’s long-term vision.
What’s Next?
The Sixers face a gamble with no clear answer. Both paths have benefits and downsides, but according to David Aldridge, Philadelphia’s front office seems to be teetering towards an anti-tank approach.
“We’re fighting,” 76ers owner Josh Harris told The Athletic. “I’m hopeful and optimistic that we’ll get through.”
There is a possibility that Embiid’s health issues — which the team has historically struggled to overcome — may force the Sixers’ hand and trigger a race to the bottom, regardless of how optimistic the front office is.
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