As the 2025-2026 NBA season winds down, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a familiar yet frustrating position. For the first 35-45 games, they showed promise, giving fans a reason to believe. But the last stretch has been tough, marked by losses, injuries, and a trade deadline that left many scratching their heads.
With an upcoming game against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, the Sixers face an uncertain future. The big question: Should they consider tanking to improve their chances in the draft lottery? It's a strategy that's not entirely far-fetched given recent lottery history.
Since the NBA revamped its draft lottery in 2019, allowing the first four picks to be determined by chance, we've seen some surprising jumps. Teams like Atlanta and Dallas, who were on the brink of the playoffs, managed to snag the first pick in consecutive years. For Philly, there's about a 10% chance to land in the top four, which would allow them to keep their pick instead of sending it to Oklahoma City.
Yet, the idea of tanking doesn't sit well with everyone, especially not with Joel Embiid. Before the trade deadline, Embiid made it clear he wanted the front office to bolster the roster for a playoff push. But with Tyrese Maxey likely sidelined for the rest of the regular season and Paul George's suspension, the team's chances of a deep playoff run seem slim.
And then there's the Houston first-rounder, acquired through the Jared McCain trade. Depending on how things shake out, the Sixers could end up with a mid-20s pick from Houston, while their own pick goes to the Thunder. It's a complex situation that leaves fans wondering if an early exit from the play-in tournament might be the best course of action.
Despite the current gloom, there were moments this season when the Sixers sparked hope. They were even considered potential buyers at the trade deadline, aiming to make a splash in a wide-open Eastern Conference. But those dreams have faded, and now the focus shifts to the future.
As the season wraps up, the Sixers and their fans find themselves pondering the lottery night odds once more. It's a tough pill to swallow, but perhaps it's a dart worth throwing.