Power rankings give one idea of where every team is at that moment. This one is more on the futuristic side detailing where the team could be in three years.
The future is looking bright for many teams in the NBA. As it stands, these young players are taking over the association and that could be either a good thing or a bad thing For the Philadelphia 76ers, it may be a blessing in disguise.
Bleacher Report has made a power ranking that details where teams will be in three years time and where they’ll stand. Philadelphia was placed seventh on that list. The reasoning being what many continue to harp on, the health of Joel Embiid. This is one of those times where it actually does matter what the status of Embiid will be. It’s a pretty fair ranking because Embiid and LeBron James, realistically, will be with the team for only a couple years.
Bleacher Report detailed that the downside is concerning and it’s based on Embiid and James.
As for Embiid, his health is super dependent upon their success, and that’s something that could be true. Let’s say this season doesn’t pan out how many expect it to, what’s the chances of it getting better? James and Embiid are a year older and there will be concerns and how much longer Philadelphia can rely on those two.
This is where the young stars come in. They’ll have VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. All three of these players could carry the team and keep their playoff hopes alive. It won’t be enough to catapult them to a championship, but it keeps the window open.
The positives outweigh the negatives here. Losing two players like Embiid and James would hurt but there’s so much youth on this team that it won’t matter. Edgecombe and Maxey will be major components on this roster. The only hole is finding an Embiid replacement, a move that can be looked at in future drafts.
Let’s not forget, they drafted Labaron Philon Jr. and will have the option to re-sign Anfernee Simons as well. That is enough youth to allow for the 76ers to continue to be formidable. It won’t change the power rankings but it still keeps them in the hunt. Philon could be the point guard of the future while Simons adds another ballhandler and playmaker for the offense.
This team has been pegged for the present. As they look to the future, it stands that this team will have one of the highest ceilings in the association. If they can continue to build out this roster with youth, it’ll lead to a very promising future.
