After signing All-Star Paul George and entering the 2024-25 season with championship aspirations, the Philadelphia 76ers enter a crucial offseason with the No. 3 pick in Wednesday's 2025 NBA draft (8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN) and plenty of massive questions to answer following a 24-58 season.
That begins with Joel Embiid, who had arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee a couple of months ago after playing 19 games last season. With the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum injury (ruptured right Achilles) leaving the top of the Eastern Conference far more vulnerable than anticipated next season, Philadelphia believes it has a chance to contend -- but that's going to be viable only if Embiid is healthy rather than the hobbled version of himself.