76ers' 2024-25 Title Prospects: A Real Contender?

The Philadelphia 76ers are armed with some of the best talents in the game that we have ever seen, and the odds even point towards them making a strong push towards the NBA Finals and winning the league title. But can they use this opportunity to come up with a long-awaited victory on the biggest stage of the league?

Why the Pressure is on the Sixers to Win a Title?

The Sixers have just landed Paul George a week ago as soon as the free agency market opened. It was haywire. George was being considered to play for any team that had a max contract to offer, such as the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, George would go on to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers instead, agreeing to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract that will see him to the City of Brotherly Love in this offseason.

Paul George was clearly buying into Philadelphia image

If you aren’t quite shocked, you should be. George was a guest analyst in the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Next to him was Sixers big man Joel Embiid, who was later asked about his hopes for the next season. The 2023 MVP went on to say that he would want the Sixers to “add some pieces” while also side-eyeing Paul George as he said that. While most people dismissed it, that foreshadowed the big expectation that the former Los Angeles Clippers star would be bringing his talents back to the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers are bigger contenders now more than ever image

Now, the Sixers are faced with a tough situation – a team that is desperate for a championship joined by another player who is playing for a winner. It is clear that George committed to joining both Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a bid for the NBA title, which has been in their sights ever since “The Process” era for the team. Philadelphia is now ranked second (as per FanDuel Sportsbook) in odds for winning the 2024-25 NBA Finals.

Can Philly Become a Championship Team?

Since losing to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2020-21 Conference Semifinals, nothing has been the same for the Philadelphia 76ers. That version of the team was the last time that we have seen the Sixers come up with a promising team that looked like it could take on the NBA Finals. The franchise has won a total of three NBA titles, dating back to 1955, 1967, and 1983. The last time the Sixers reached the NBA Finals was back in 2001, led by the legendary Iverson. Since then, it has been the waiting game for the team. Now with a new-look squad, it does seem that Philly has what it takes to be a championship team, even with a few factors to consider for their chances of winning.

The Sixers' glory days have been long gone image

Joel Embiid’s Health is a Concern

Embiid's injuries will play a huge role in their title hopes image

At the age of 30, Joel Embiid seems to be in his top form despite suffering a tough injury in the early onset of the 2023-24 season. That knee injury limited him to just 39 games in the regular season, but he still managed to average 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 52.9% from the field, including 38.8% from deep. His health is much of a tough concern considering that he struggled to play at a high level in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Still, this means that Embiid will have to play it better and more efficiently if he is going to come up with a promising groove in the next season, especially with the team approaching the campaign with the championship aspirations that fans have been waiting for in a long time. Embiid has to stay healthy if the Sixers are going to have guaranteed championship aspirations now more than ever.

Paul George Comes Off a Promising Season

Paul George has enjoyed a promising 2023-24 season despite having some tough issues in the Clippers. He played a total of 74 games – which is the most he’s had in a season since the 2018-19 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he played three more games. On top of that, George’s efficiency has spiked in the previous campaign, with the star forward averaging 22.6 points on 47.1% shooting, including 41.3% from three to go along with 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per 33.8 minutes in a single game. Bringing him alongside a high-volume scorer in Embiid and a promising playmaker in Maxey should definitely boost the team’s chances of winning, especially if George continues to ride on this same pace.

Paul George has had a fantastic season image

Tyrese Maxey Has Ascended into a Star

Maxey has grown into an elite star image

The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year is definitely deserving of that said award. Tyrese Maxey has stepped up his game to another level with the Sixers, especially when Embiid went down with that injury in the previous season. For those who slept on the star guard, Maxey averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from the field, including a promising 37.3% from deep. Maxey is now a bonafide star, and teaming up with Embiid and George certainly helps him ease into the playmaker role, which makes him more dangerous but also opens up offensive opportunities for his star teammates given how much of an impressive rim driver he is.

Will the Sixers Have a Chance at the NBA Finals?

It is clear that the Sixers are now heavy favorites alongside the Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference, with the latter being the top pick to win again. However, it is worth noting that the last two champions in the NBA have boasted a team structure that had no focus on a big 3 compared to the Sixers’ roster. This is a huge factor to look out for many critics, as teams with similar structure to a big 5 have had more success in the game in the past few years compared to those teams who have a locked big three to begin with.

Stay tuned for the latest happenings in the NBA with GambleSpot! Make sure to check out our content from time to time for basketball and the rest of the sports world! See our news, blogs, tournament previews, game analyses, betting guides, game previews, and many other sports-related content that you don’t want to miss! Make the most of our content and get a chance to score handsome rewards when you place your wagers in the game.