Philadelphia spent the offseason building a top-heavy scoring overload, trading Paul George for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James for two years and $8 million. The preseason already answered the depth question with a 1-2 record and a pile of rest-related day-to-day tags on all four stars.
Can Embiid, Maxey, Brown and James all stay on the floor together?
Embiid played 38 games last season and posted a 26.9-point, 7.7-rebound average when he did. Maxey logged all 70 games at 28.3 points. Brown arrives from Boston at 28.7 points on 71 games. James, 41 years old, played 60. Through three preseason games, James, Brown and Embiid have each carried a rest-related day-to-day tag — the questions about availability never left.
Does the 1-2 preseason record mean anything?
Philadelphia beat the Knicks 120-97 on October 5, lost 108-114 at the Nets on October 8, then lost 106-144 at Boston on October 10 without Embiid, Brown or LeBron on the floor. VJ Edgecombe and Jabari Walker carried that loss. A 38-point defeat with three stars sitting says more about the rest plan than the roster's ceiling.
Is Ariel Hukporti's Achilles the worst injury in camp?
Hukporti went from day-to-day with an ankle tag to out with a right Achilles issue on October 6, with an estimated return date of October 2027 — more than a year away. Bona's foot issue has sat unresolved since September 17. Fall's hip and torso issue has sat unresolved since October 1. None of the three has been cleared.
Can Philadelphia afford this roster without a deep playoff run?
Payroll sits at $213.2 million, above the $209.0 million apron threshold and the $200.4 million tax number, against a $165.0 million cap. The Brown trade cost four picks — two firsts and two seconds — sent to Boston. Philadelphia still owns its 2027 and 2030 firsts and a 2029 swap, but owes Brooklyn a second in 2028 and New York one in 2030. The bill only makes sense if this roster wins in May.
Who replaces the guards who left?
Kyle Lowry, MarJon Beauchamp and Tyrese Martin all departed September 21, and Dillon Jones was moved September 8. No addition has filled that bench spot through three preseason games. Caleb Love and Labaron Philon are absorbing those minutes, with Philon already flashing a skill worth tracking into the regular season.
Is Joel Embiid injured right now?
He is listed day-to-day with a rest-related tag and an estimated return date of October 16, the same date listed for seven of his teammates.
When does the 76ers' regular season start?
October 20, on the road against the Knicks, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
More from The Broad Street Line
all 76ers news →
Morning · Tue, Oct 13Simons' Hamstring Update Says the Same Thing Twice
From the archives · Mon, Oct 12Five Years After 68-13, Philly Finished 30-52: A Warning From 1971-72
The big question · Sat, Oct 10Is This Core Built to Win, or Just Built to Spend?
The big question · Tue, Oct 6The Big Question: Is This Core Built to Win, or Just Built to Spend?
The big question · Sat, Oct 3Did the Sixers Buy a Contender, or Rent One for Two Years?
The big question · Tue, Sep 29The Big Question: Is $213.2 Million Enough to Beat the Second Round?