The 2025 Philadelphia 76ers Should Tank

The 2025 Philadelphia 76ers Should Tank

As a former journalist for the likes of the Delaware Blue Coats and Rowan University Men's Basketball, I understand the importance of putting my personal bias aside when covering a team. I would always root for both programs, but when push came to shove, I was willing to ask the tough questions and write honest pieces on their performances.

Since starting my own website, I have taken on more of a role as a blogger and columnist; I write about what and who I want with bias. As a Philadelphia 76ers fan, I was excited for the 2024-2025 season. I was even more exciting to write positive articles about them.

Unfortunately, my fan bias has prevented me from mustering together a single article since the start of the season. Their incredibly disappointing season on the court has given me no creative inspiration, and frankly, I do not enjoy writing negative content about my favorite team. With that said, I feel it is time to reveal my honest opinion on the 2025 76ers: they stink and should tank the rest of the season. Here is why.

They Cannot Compete in the Eastern Conference

The 76ers have lost nine straight games since February 4th, and all nine have been to Eastern Conference teams. It would take a miracle for them to get into the NBA Play-in Tournament. As it stands, they are four games back of the tenth seed. Even if they were to get in, they would have to win two straight games to earn a playoff series, and then from there, defeat three Eastern Conference teams four out of seven times to reach the NBA Finals.

The phrase "crazier things have happened" is one that I apply to many aspects of my life; however, I do think that the 76ers making the NBA Finals in 2025 would be the craziest thing that has ever happened. Realistically and statistically, it is near impossible.

A Top Prospect Can Help Them Next Year

If the 2024-2025 NBA season has revealed anything, it is that teams with young depth thrive. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the Eastern Conference's number one seed for most of the season; they only have two players over the age of 28 on their active roster. Meanwhile, the 12-seed 76ers have seven players over 28.

Next season, the 76ers will likely look to build around the backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, both of whom are under the age of 25. Adding a third core player to that unit through the draft could make Philadelphia a more dynamic offense and limit drops in energy when either Maxey or McCain come off of the court. With most of the top prospects being guards, having a high-end draft pick could go a long way in ensuring the right fit comes to Philadelphia. The best way to increase the chances of acquiring that pick is to continue losing games in 2025.

Joel Embiid Is Not Healthy

Joel Embiid has been heavily criticized this season by fans, national media, and local reporters. People are fed up with his inability to remain healthy for an entire season.

While their frustrations may be justified, there is no doubt that the 76ers are a better team with Embiid than without. Last season, the team had a 31-8 regular season record with him; without him, they went 16-27. A healthy Embiid is an elite rim defender, an offensive weapon down low, and somebody that draws defensive attention away from his teammates.

If the 76ers throw in the towel this season and shut Embiid down, it would provide him with the most amount of off-season time to get physically right since 2017. Altogether, a healthy Embiid, a top draft pick, and a fresh start could work wonder for the 76ers in 2026, hence the reason the should tank the rest of the 2025 season.