There is no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers improved dramatically this season. From trading Paul George and draft picks for Jaylen Brown to signing LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. The Sixers have the pieces; now they just have to put the puzzle together and build team chemistry. It is easier said than done, though, as the Sixers built a team full of stars who will want the ball and potentially play selfishly at times rather than as a team. When it is all said and done, this team has so much potential, and with that, we look at what the keys are to having a successful 2026-2027 season.
What a Successful Season Looks Like in Philly
It All Starts With Health and No Egos
The main thing that could stop this 76ers team is injuries, and it is not particularly close. Joel Embiid, who has been the “Process” for the Sixers for years, has struggled to stay anywhere close to healthy every single year of his career. With the loaded talent they have now, they do not necessarily need Embiid to stay healthy, but if the injury bug goes around the whole team, then it is time to be concerned.
As for the egos, this is another issue, as the entire starting lineup is filled with All-Stars, except for VJ Edgecombe, who is getting to that level quickly, though. Nobody can want to play selfishly and shoot the basketball every single time. If team chemistry can develop and they play with zero ego, this team could win the championship.
Less Pressure on Maxey, Improved Bench and Experience
76ers guard Tyrese Maxey will have less pressure on him, so while this absolutely benefits Philadelphia, the key here is how Maxey can adjust to a new role and not having to do it all, because with Embiid being hurt, Maxey has had the most pressure to score 30-plus points a night for them to win. Maxey should have no issue doing that; he will still be the Sixers’ main option as a scorer, but he will not have to manage the workload all by himself.
As for the improved bench, the Sixers overloaded at the guard position and added some much-needed depth. While they still lack a reliable backup center, they still improved their bench with not much money in the offseason to work with. The Sixers also now have starters filled with experience; James is a four-time NBA Champion, four-time MVP, and the league’s all-time scorer. Brown won the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, Embiid won the 2023 MVP award, and Edgecombe is a young star who now has a year of experience under his belt and has a starting lineup filled with experience to continue developing and learning from.
What the Leading Scorers Could Look Like
Maxey is likely going to be the Sixers’ leading scorer, as he is the “Face of the Franchise” and will likely average less with the new squad. You can expect him to average around 25-27 points per game while still having nights when he takes control and can score more. Brown could be the second-highest scorer, as he loves to isolate and score, and will likely average around 23-25 points per game.
Then you’ve got Embiid, who is not expected to be a big scorer anymore but rather a dominant rebounder and playing tough down low in the paint; you can expect him to still score a lot depending on matchups, but he will likely score around the same as Brown. And Edgecombe is likely to score the least in the starting lineup but will have a new role to adapt to and be a defensive force, which is what the Sixers need. Edgecombe will still have games where he takes over, but on average, he should score around 15 points per game.
Who do you think will be the 76ers’ leading scorers?
Main Image: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
