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The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2024-25 season with high hopes after adding All-Star Pau George alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, injuries to Embiid and George have significantly derailed their season. Now, with a 15-24 record, the Sixers find themselves battling for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia’s recent struggles have raised questions about the direction they’ll take in the coming weeks. The team is two games behind the 10th-seeded Chicago Bulls, and a challenging stretch of games could force their hand.

The 76ers’ schedule does not offer much relief. Over the next several games, they will face tough opponents, including the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Detroit Pistons.

According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, this difficult stretch could place Philadelphia in a situation where even making the Play-In Tournament seems unlikely. He noted, “That could, in turn, lead to a pivot toward maximizing the team’s chances of keeping its top-six protected first-round pick in this year’s draft.”

Although sources have indicated that the 76ers are still focused on maximizing the potential of their current roster, the next few weeks could change that approach. If the team continues to struggle, they may shift gears and focus on their lottery odds, aiming for a better position in the upcoming draft.

Philadelphia’s ability to remain competitive this season will be tested in the coming weeks. The Sixers’ future plans could hinge on their performance during this critical stretch.

The 76ers’ decision could be a defining moment in their 2024-25 campaign. Will they rally around Embiid and Maxey, or will they target higher draft picks?