The Philadelphia 76ers have long been associated with the art of the rebuild - and once again, they’ve shown they know how to play the long game when the moment calls for it.
We all remember “The Process,” the years of calculated losing that netted the franchise cornerstones like Joel Embiid and, for a time, Ben Simmons. But what the Sixers pulled off last season was less about ideology and more about execution - and it’s quickly becoming a blueprint for struggling teams staring down a loaded draft class.
Let’s rewind to the 2024-25 season. The Sixers entered the year with high hopes, but things went south fast.
Injuries piled up. Joel Embiid and Paul George - both max contract guys - couldn’t stay on the floor.
Then Tyrese Maxey, their rising star and third max player, went down too. Suddenly, the season looked lost.
But Philly didn’t just accept the downturn - they leaned into it. With their first-round pick protected if it landed in the top six (and otherwise headed to Oklahoma City), the Sixers saw a window.
If they could slide far enough in the standings, they’d keep the pick. So they pivoted, hard.
From 20-29, the Sixers closed the season with a stunning 4-29 record. That’s not a typo.
It was a deliberate dive to the bottom - and it paid off. Not only did they hold onto the pick, they landed at No. 3 in the draft.
That pick turned into VJ Edgecombe, the dynamic wing out of Baylor who’s already flashing signs of future stardom. He’s started 48 games as a rookie, averaging 15 points, 4.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. That’s not just solid production - that’s the kind of all-around game that can shape a franchise’s next era.
Around the league, teams have taken notice. According to a report from NBA insider Marc Stein, Philly’s late-season pivot is now serving as inspiration for other franchises stuck in the Play-In purgatory. The Sixers proved that a well-timed tank - even in the face of skepticism - can flip a team’s future.
And the timing couldn’t have been better. Last year’s draft class was top-heavy, and the top six picks are already paying dividends.
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, and Tre Johnson have all shown they belong. There’s not a single team in that range that’s regretting their spot in the lottery.
Looking ahead, the 2026 draft class might be just as stacked - with names like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybansta, Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler generating real buzz. That’s why some teams hovering around the Play-In bubble might be more inclined to pull the plug and aim for a higher lottery slot. The Sixers’ model shows that if you pick the right moment, the reward can be worth the risk.
And here’s the kicker: the Sixers didn’t just tank and vanish. They’re back this season with a 30-22 record, sitting sixth in the East.
They’ve retooled, reloaded, and added a legit young piece to the core. That’s the kind of turnaround that makes front offices take notice.
In a league where the margins between mediocrity and contention are razor-thin, Philly’s bold move might just be the new playbook.