What Happened to Philadelphia 76ers?
The Philadelphia 76ers have undergone significant changes in recent years, navigating a disappointing 2024-25 season before a resurgence in 2025-26 that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Following a front-office shake-up in May 2026, the team made aggressive moves in the 2026 offseason, acquiring superstars LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, signaling a clear championship pursuit.
Quick Answer
After a challenging 2024-25 season, the Philadelphia 76ers rebounded in 2025-26, making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before being swept. This led to a significant front office overhaul in May 2026, with Daryl Morey's departure and Bob Myers stepping in as interim. The team then made blockbuster moves in the 2026 offseason, trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James in free agency, aiming to build a championship-contending roster around stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Tyrese Maxey Signs Max Extension, Paul George Acquired
Tyrese Maxey agreed to a five-year, $204 million maximum contract extension with the 76ers. The team also acquired Paul George in free agency, signaling a commitment to building a contender.
Joel Embiid Signs Max Extension
Joel Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million maximum contract extension, keeping him with the 76ers through the 2028-29 season.
Coaching Staff Changes After Disappointing Season
Following a 24-58 record in the 2024-25 season, the 76ers made changes to Nick Nurse's assistant coaching staff, though Nurse and Daryl Morey remained in their roles.
Bob Myers Joins HBSE
Bob Myers, known for his success with the Golden State Warriors, joined Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the 76ers' ownership group.
Tyrese Maxey Suffers Finger Injury
Tyrese Maxey was diagnosed with a tendon injury in his right pinkie finger, sidelining him for approximately three weeks.
76ers Clinch Playoff Spot
The 76ers, finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 45-37 record, clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Orlando Magic in the first stage of the play-in tournament.
Historic Playoff Comeback vs. Celtics
The 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, making a historic comeback after trailing 3-1 in the series.
Swept by Knicks in Semifinals
Philadelphia's playoff run ended with a 4-0 sweep by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Daryl Morey Fired, Bob Myers Interim POBO
Daryl Morey was fired as President of Basketball Operations, and Bob Myers was named interim President of Basketball Operations.
New Front Office Leadership Appointed
Mike Gansey was named the new President of Basketball Operations, and Jameer Nelson was expected to be promoted to General Manager, succeeding Elton Brand.
Tyrese Maxey Earns All-NBA Honors
Tyrese Maxey earned All-NBA honors in 2026, making him eligible for a supermax extension in future offseasons, though not immediately due to service time.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown Join Roster
The 76ers completed a significant offseason overhaul, acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade and signing LeBron James in free agency, dramatically raising championship expectations.
Phil Handy Joins Coaching Staff
Phil Handy, a respected player development coach with strong ties to LeBron James and Nick Nurse, finalized a deal to join the 76ers' coaching staff.
Team Focuses on Bench Depth for Upcoming Season
As the 2026-27 season approaches, analysis highlights the importance of the 76ers' bench depth, which has been a struggle in previous seasons, to support the star-studded starting lineup.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the mid-2020s with high expectations, centered around their MVP center Joel Embiid and rising star guard Tyrese Maxey. However, the 2024-25 NBA season proved to be a significant setback, as the team finished with a disappointing 24-58 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in several years. This performance prompted internal changes, though head coach Nick Nurse and then-President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey initially retained their positions, with only some assistant coaching staff adjustments made in May 2025.
In a strategic move to secure their core, the 76ers extended key players. Tyrese Maxey signed a five-year, $204 million maximum contract extension on July 1, 2024, solidifying his future with the franchise. This was followed by Joel Embiid signing a three-year, $193 million max extension on September 20, 2024, keeping him under contract through the 2028-29 season. The team also acquired Paul George in July 2024, aiming to bolster their championship aspirations. The 2025-26 season saw a significant improvement, with the 76ers finishing 45-37 and securing the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. They advanced past the Play-In Tournament and achieved a historic comeback against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win in seven games. However, their playoff run ended abruptly in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they were swept 4-0 by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
The sweep in May 2026 triggered a major organizational shift. On May 13, 2026, Daryl Morey was fired as President of Basketball Operations, with Bob Myers, President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, stepping in as interim. This was followed by the promotion of Mike Gansey to President of Basketball Operations and Jameer Nelson to General Manager in June 2026, succeeding Elton Brand. The new leadership wasted no time in reshaping the roster, embarking on an aggressive 2026 offseason.
In a series of high-profile moves, the 76ers traded Paul George to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jaylen Brown. They then made headlines by signing four-time NBA MVP LeBron James in free agency to a two-year, $8 million contract for his league-record 24th season. These acquisitions, alongside the continued presence of Embiid and Maxey, immediately elevated the team's championship expectations. Tyrese Maxey also earned All-NBA honors in 2026, positioning him for a potential supermax extension in future offseasons. As of August 22, 2026, the team is focused on integrating its new stars, with James, Brown, and Maxey already engaging in offseason workouts. Additionally, Phil Handy, a long-time coach with ties to LeBron James, joined Nick Nurse's coaching staff in August 2026, further signaling the team's commitment to a championship pursuit.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Philadelphia 76ers made different choices?