In the heart of Philadelphia, the familiar sound of disappointed sighs fills the air as the 76ers once again falter. The “Trust the Process” mantra, once a beacon of hope, now feels like a cruel joke on loyal fans. Ever since Sam Hinke uttered those sacred words in 2013, the team has failed over and over again in every aspect that makes a good basketball team function. With the team struggling this current NBA season at a 15-27 record (as of January 22, 2025), it’s time for the Sixers to confront a harsh truth: The Joel Embiid era hasn’t delivered what it promised, and clinging to it only delays the opportunity for success.
The start of the 2024-2025 season has been nothing short of disastrous for the Sixers. Injuries, poor performance, and internal conflicts have derailed what were initially high expectations. The team opened the season with a 2-11 record, tying for the worst in the NBA alongside the Washington Wizards. History paints a grim picture: of 105 teams that started 2-11 or worse, only eight made the playoffs, with just three achieving a winning record by the end of the season. It can be argued that the Sixers should stay the course and keep trying to win, as tanking wouldn’t benefit them this season since the Oklahoma City Thunder own their 2025 first-round draft pick. However, holding onto a failing roster simply because the draft isn’t an immediate option ignores the bigger picture: the team must prioritize resetting and rethinking its approach to contention.
As per usual, Joel Embiid has struggled to stay healthy to start the year, managing to play only thirteen of the team’s 40 games so far this season. Meanwhile, rookie point guard Jared McCain—an exciting prospect and favorite to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year—suffered a season-ending torn meniscus on December 13, 2024. Even Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract in the offseason, has been plagued by injuries and even when he is on the court, has not been playing up to expectations. All-star point guard Tyreese Maxey has been the Sixers’ best player by far this season, however, even he has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury keeping him out of several games. Veterans like Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, and Andre Drummond, brought in to bolster the roster, have also underperformed. “The 76ers are losing the benefit of time and patience,” The Athletic reports, “Not to make the playoffs, necessarily, but to avoid the Play-In Tournament.”
It is fair to say that this Sixers roster is one of the most talented in years and simply needs more time together on the court, especially with Jared McCain returning next fall. While the talent may look promising on paper, the current results don’t align. Banking on an injured rookie coming back from a major knee injury to make the difference is a gamble, especially when other players like Paul George and Joel Embiid are battling their own availability issues. Furthermore, the Sixers’ history has shown that merely hoping for cohesion and health is not a winning formula.
The Sixers’ playoff woes are proof of the shortcomings of “The Process.” Despite years of tanking for high draft picks, the team has failed to advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals for seven straight seasons. Joel Embiid’s performances in key games have often been disappointing, such as his 6-for-18 shooting in Game 7 against the Raptors in 2019 or his 5-for-18 effort in Game 7 against Boston in 2023.
It can be argued that “The Process” fostered a losing culture, where players became too accustomed to defeat during their formative years. Embiid’s first two seasons saw the team go 28-136, while Ben Simmons’ first season coincided with a 28-54 record. Although both Embiid and Simmons missed their first years due to injury, these failures manifested in critical series losses. For example, the Sixers’ infamous 2021 collapse against the Hawks, where Ben Simmons essentially ran himself out of Philadelphia by passing up easy shots and the team choking away Games 4 and 5 in the series, eventually losing in Game 7. As CBS Sports reported, “The Process must have been a failure if three of the ugliest seasons in NBA history couldn’t even yield a trip to the conference finals.”
The Sixers’ draft history is riddled with misfires, wasting opportunities to build a sustainable contender. Jahlil Okafor (2015 No. 3 overall) and Nerlens Noel (2013 No. 6 overall) failed to adapt to the modern NBA or stay healthy, while players like Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013 No. 15 overall two-time MVP) and Kristaps Porzingis (2015 No. 4 overall) went to the Bucks and Knicks respectively, becoming the stars that the Sixers thought Okafor and Noel could be. Other picks, like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in 2016, also failed to pan out. Pascal Siakam and Dejounte Murray, selected later in the same draft, became impact players.
Possibly the biggest Sixers draft bust of “The Process,” however, was Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017. Fultz was a superstar shooter at the University of Washington, but once he got to the NBA, he dealt with mysterious shooting issues, making him a liability on the court. Eventually, Fultz was sent to the Orlando Magic in 2019, where he has become a solid role player off the bench. Fultz was seen as the clear best pick for the Sixers in 2017, but they missed on a superstar, Jayson Tatum, who was taken third by Boston and has blossomed into a superstar and NBA Finals champion. Reflecting on the Markelle Fultz saga, The Athletic noted, “For everyone involved, it was an exhausting story to follow.” These draft misses have haunted the Sixers and hindered their ability to build around their core.
The Sixers’ missteps haven’t been limited to the draft. Their free agency and trade decisions have also set the team back. Brett Brown’s tenure as head coach and manager of basketball decisions saw moves like trading Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith, a deal that backfired when Bridges thrived in Phoenix while Smith fizzled out. Center Richaun Holmes was sent to the Suns for cash, leaving the Sixers without a competent backup center for Joel Embiid during their 2019 playoff loss to Toronto.
Elton Brand’s tenure as general manager has seen further mistakes. The decision not to re-sign Jimmy Butler after his pivotal role in the 2019 playoffs was a costly error. Butler has since led the Heat to three Eastern Conference Finals appearances and 2 NBA finals appearances. CBS Sports reported, “But months later, [Elton Brand] gave up the bulk of Philadelphia’s remaining draft pick surplus for Tobias Harris in an apparent attempt to set his team up for a post-Butler future.” Tobias Harris, who re-signed with the Sixers on a max contract, failed to live up to his salary, consistently failing to show up in big moments. The acquisition of James Harden in 2021, instead of pursuing younger alternatives like Tyrese Haliburton, also left the team reliant on an aging star who faltered in crucial playoff moments against the Celtics in 2023.
As much as Joel Embiid has been the face of the Sixers, his time may be running out. His leadership has often been called into question, with it coming to fruition this season when Tyrese Maxey reportedly criticized Embiid for setting a poor example by showing up late to practices. Embiid’s frequent injuries have further complicated matters. Over his nine years of actually playing, he has yet to play all 82 games and most likely never will due to his age. In October, Embiid told ESPN, “If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs for the rest of my career.” This season, the Sixers’ offensive efficiency has dropped by 20 points per 100 possessions with Embiid on the floor. Off the court, controversies like his three-game suspension for pushing a columnist have only added to the challenges. “Philadelphia no longer has the luxury of waiting for him to be at his best,” The Athletic wrote. Embiid’s value to the team when he’s healthy is undeniable, but his limitations and the team’s stagnant progress raise questions about whether the franchise should consider a future without him.
I’ve heard many say that Joel Embiid’s trade value won’t be high due to his increasing age and constant injuries, but at the same time, I believe there is one team willing to throw away a few future draft picks or young players to compete for a title. To me, that team is the Indiana Pacers, who desperately need an elite big man other than Myles Turner. Embiid, if he stayed healthy, would make the Pacers a top team in the Eastern Conference and a title contender, and the Pacers could give the Sixers a haul of draft picks or young players in return. The Sixers would have to wait until the offseason to make a trade due to Embiid’s contract, but this potential trade could give the Pacers a chance at a title and the Sixers an opportunity to reload and build a young core.
All in all, I believe it is time to bring another NBA title to Philadelphia. The “Trust Process” has left the 76ers and their fans tangled in a cycle of disappointment. To break free, the franchise must embrace a fresh start, focusing on sustainable team-building and fostering a winning culture. A culture I believe, should be without Joel Embiid. Only by moving beyond “The Process” can the Sixers truly hope to contend for a championship once again or at least make it past the second round.
