Philadelphia, PA - After the Oklahoma City Thunder ripped through the NBA playoffs to claim their first championship, everyone immediately set their sights on the 2025-26 season. There will be some of the usual faces when it comes to contenders, but things look substantially more open when it comes to the Eastern Conference.
For a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, who finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the coming season offers hope. Though they are not without their flaws, the Sixers now have a chance to quickly turn things around. According to YouBet, they are a good team to apply the same game parlay strategy. However, will it be enough to deliver a deep run?
The Additions
Before we can get into how far the Sixers could possibly go, it helps to know who was brought in and what they bring to the table. Let’s get into the notable roster additions.
Trendon Watford (2 years, $5.3 million)
A veteran bench player, Watford comes in at a discount but brings stability to their bench. He provides size and athleticism, not to mention some much-needed versatility to a Sixers roster that felt stagnant in the face of injuries a season ago.
Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow (two-way deals)
It felt right to lump these two together for a few reasons. For starters, both add size to the lineup and come on two-way deals. Both are capable of playing right away if Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey continue to deal with injury issues.
At first glance, they are low-risk signings but there may be more there than meets the eye. Given the injury issues of their core, the Sixers may need to lean on them a lot more – especially at the beginning of the season – than one may have originally thought.
V.J. Edgecombe (3rd overall pick, 2025 NBA Draft)
The 19-year-old Edgecombe, a guard from Baylor, may have been among the most explosive players in the entire 2025 NBA Draft. He has a high motor and seemingly comes out of nowhere for chase-down blocks and some of the most vicious poster dunks you will ever see.
His elite athleticism sets him apart, helping him effortlessly slash through defenders. He also possesses a knockdown spot-up jumper, but he needs to work on his shot creator if he wants to become the kind of elite primary creator the Sixers hope for.
Defensively, Edgecomb moves well laterally and can switch on screens. That said, even given his size, he has struggled against bigger wings though he will undoubtedly add size and strength as he gets into an NBA weightroom.
As is the case with any rookie, Edgecomb will have his moments of dazzling explosiveness coupled with challenges, especially given his shot creation and finding consistency on defense. It should not be long, however, before Edgecomb becomes a focal point and face of the Sixers franchise.
Johni Broome (35th overall pick, 2025 NBA Draft)
The super senior from Auburn fell to the Sixers early in the second round, and they could have themselves a diamond in the rough. He feels like his game is already made for the NBA, an interior finisher that has a feel for passing and can set the tone defensively.
That said, Broome fell to the second round for a few reasons. His jumper is really shaky and hasn’t quite progressed to the point that NBA scouts would have liked. On top of that, his athleticism is merely okay, and his wingspan is on the shorter side, posing questions about whether he is quick enough against faster guards when switching.
At the end of the day, Broome can score at the rim and is a more than capable post player. His passing ability gives him another layer offensively as well. On the defensive side of the floor, his effort sets the tone, and he hustles to all areas, showing a knack for blocking shots around the rim.
A Weakened Eastern Conference
Though the Sixers will be missing George and Embiid as they recover from injuries, things look bright for the Sixers. The defending Eastern Conference Champion Indiana Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton for the season. The same goes for the powerhouse Boston Celtics, who lost Jayson Tatum to the same kind of Achilles injury.
The athletic foursome of Edgecombe, Maxey, Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes may not look great on paper but is a step in the right direction. Edgecombe has already provided explosive results during Summer League.
Though there are matchup problems that could hinder them against teams like the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, competition feels thin in the East this year. If the Sixers get hot, they could make a run that positions them well for the playoffs. From there, it is up to the young core to continue the momentum.
