"Last season opened with dreams of ending a more-than-four-decade championship drought, hopes sparked by the summer acquisition of free agent wing Paul George to pair with 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid and rising superstar guard Tyrese Maxey. But Embiid was limited to 19 games due to lingering left knee issues, Paul George managed just 41 with the fewest points per game since his second year in the league and Philadelphia endured a desultory 24-58 season that was largely spent banking on lottery luck."
""These guys give them the ability to move on from the Embiid and George era," a Western Conference executive told ESPN. It hasn't mattered that both Embiid and George have barely played, or that the team has endured plenty of other injuries beyond its two veteran stars. No, the 76ers aren't projected to contend for a top seed in the Eastern Conference, but their respectable 9-8 start heading into Friday's NBA Cup group stage finale has created newfound optimism about where this franchise is headed."
The Philadelphia 76ers collapsed to a 24-58 season after Joel Embiid appeared in just 19 games and Paul George played 41 while struggling offensively. The team retained its top-six protected first-round pick and used the No. 3 selection on VJ Edgecombe, whose early play has energized scouts, executives and insiders. Despite roster injuries, a 9-8 start through the NBA Cup group stage has produced cautious optimism. League executives view the young backcourt as a potential path to move beyond the Embiid–George era, while questions remain about both veterans' availability and long-term contributions.
Read at ESPN.com
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