Philadelphia 76ers 24/25 season review:

24/25 Record: 48-34

 

 

Season Highlight: Philly finally flipped the switch to vault from an old middling team in the East and hovering around that dreaded play-in area to a legitimate postseason threat. Trading in quality veterans such as Paul George, Dejounte Murray for Kristaps Porzingis and Marcus Smart plus fodder was a stroke of brilliance and vaulted this team into the 4^th seed with a late season push.

Season lowlight: Dejounte Murray rupturing his Achilles; Ben and his Sixers looked like a real threat in the East with a fully healthy roster. Dejounte starred in his role as lead guard with averages of 26/4/4 but only managed a short 8 games for the Sixers ultimately being the lynch pin to their conference semi-finals loss in 7 games to the 1 seed Cavaliers. Real chance gone begging for a conference finals appearance as they took it right to the Cavs while undermanned.

 

 

 

 

 

Best trade:

Philadelphia send: Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart, Kevin Huerter, Robert Williams, Precious Achiuwa, 5 2^nd round picks.

Philadelphia receives: Paul George, Dejounte Murray, Jaden Springer, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Johnny Juzang.

 

This move propelled Philly from outside of the playoff picture to an immediate threat and onto a 2 week win streak with the new inclusions, had it not been for injury to Dejounte who knows how far this team could have gone.

 

Worst trade:

Philadelphia send: DeAaron Fox, Russell Westbrook, Andrew Wiggins.

Philadelphia receives: Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Green, Gary Payton II, Kevin Huerter, Tyler Smith.

 

Looking at this trade on its own the value was definitely worse for the Sixers but the obvious idea for Philly was to try and turn their best piece into multiple good pieces however it was not a move that made them better in the end and they looked worse until they got the season back on track with another trade closer to deadline.

 

Other Notable trades:

Philadelphia send: Malcolm Brogdon, and a 2^nd round pick

Philadelphia receives: Robert Williams III

Trading out an injury prone player for another, comes out way ahead on this as Brogdon is now retired.

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia send: Jabari Walker

Philadelphia receives: a 2^nd round pick

Philly doing what they do best swapping out players they no longer want for more 2^nd round picks

 

Philadelphia send: Colby Jones

Philadelphia receives: Ty Jerome and a 2^nd round pick

With how well Ty Jerome performed this season this was borderline robbery but at the time it was a bit of a nothing trade.

 

 

Free Agency:

Ajay Mitchell (RFA): Will be a free return for the Sixers and will play an important role for the team likely running starting PG until Dejountes return.

Dayron Sharpe (RFA): Another free return for the Sixers, Dayron is one of the best glitch big men in 2k as he is stuck in bench rotation purgatory he gets elite per 36 ratings.

Sandro Mamukelashvili (FA): Philadelphia's only guy they will have to outbid other teams to return. He’s having a hot start in the NBA for Toronto with per 36 averages of 16/5/5 on 62/45/80 shooting splits. Good chance to stay if Ben wants him to, being the only guy needed to drop points on, he can bring him back with his remaining points to keep away contenders who might want to bid less for Mamu’s services.

Not a big FA player this season; virtually the entire roster is locked into contracts. The GM has already stated they’re not looking to play a big part of NSL Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

Star:
Paul George

Paul George made his way to Philly at the deadline and was tasked with pushing this team to greater heights and on that he delivered. George while only playing 16 regular season games for the Sixers averaged 33/4/4 with 2.4 stocks on 48/37/86 shooting splits. It was in the post season where George really starred for the Sixers leading them to their first 2^nd round appearance with elite 2-way play putting up 31/4/3 with 3.2 stocks on 47/41/86 shooting splits.

 

Flop:

Kristaps Porzingis

The big man was brought in at the start of the year to lead the new look Sixers however couldn’t stay on the court and when he could be available, he couldn’t get going from deep which is what his best asset has always been. Shooting a measly 25% from 3 and finishing his tenure for the Sixers as a –1.8 a year to forget for the Unicorn.

 

 

 

 

 

Draft Grades: B

Drake Powell (Pick 18)

I see the vision with this pick; he might not get much time in the NSL sitting behind DeRozan and Butler but might be NSL ready by the time they both retire, which may only be a couple years away. Elite slasher and on ball defensive instincts, a good prospect to let sit and develop.

 

Hugo Gonzalez (Pick 21)

Hugo looks like a real hustle player and is going to get plenty of burn for the injury ravaged NBA Celtics.

 

The Future:
Currently they’re opting for a short-term window trading in 2 players that are 36 but still elite in 2k. They have a good mix of developing talent waiting to take over and are in a solid spot despite having a short championship window.

C: Steven Adams / DayRon Sharpe
PF: Draymond Green / Ryan Dunn

SF: DeMar DeRozan / Ajay Mitchell

SG: Jimmy Butler / Jordan Clarkson/ Drake Powell

PG: Dejounte Murray / Jordan Clarkson