Sixers Beat: a Philadelphia 76ers, NBA Podcast

Cooper Flagg is the undisputed No. 1 prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class, but from V.J. Edgecombe to Derik Queen to Tre Johnson, opinions vary for the rest. Breaking down best fits for the Sixers and where we'd take this year's prospects before the lottery is drawn.

Daryl Morey resurfaced to discuss Joel Embiid's future health, the Sixers' roster vision, the role Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes will play moving forward, and much more in recent interviews.

Cooper Flagg is the prize of the 2025 NBA Draft and with some luck, the Sixers hope the ping-pong balls fall their way next Monday night. With a 10.5% chance to land the #1 pick and the right to draft the 18-year-old phenom from Duke, how would Flagg change the present and future for the 76ers? Also, how would the fit be next to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George?

Texas guard Tre Johnson was a big time shot-maker in college, but because of a few concerns is he the right fit for the Sixers next to Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in the backcourt? Plus, new arena naming and reaction to a wild Monday night in the NBA Playoffs.

Sixers fans are dying for Daryl Morey to add an impact young player in the 2025 NBA Draft. What would it take to trade out of the pick, and who would make sense as a target to play with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George?

Between Derik Queen, Khaman Maluach, and Collin Murray-Boyles, the 2025 NBA Draft has a diverse set of bigs in the lottery. Would Daryl Morey draft a big with Joel Embiid's future uncertain?

LeBron James and Luka Doncic are eliminated, Anthony Edwards is on the rise, and the 2025 NBA playoffs have been thrilling so far. What sort of team-building lessons can the Sixers take from how the first round has unfolded?

Ben Simmons' Sixers career ended in inglorious fashion after a meltdown vs. the Atlanta Hawks. But it didn't always seem destined for failure. How and when did it all go wrong for Joel Embiid's first running mate?

The 2025 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away, with the Sixers, Jazz, Wizards and others sweating out lottery position. Who will earn the right to select Cooper Flagg in the mock draft, and who will be left picking from Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe and others?

Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears is the hot name in 2025 NBA Draft prospect circles. Could the Sixers find a way to fit the creative guard, or are they better off with frontcourt prospects like Derik Queen or Khaman Maluach?

The Athletic's anonymous NBA player poll for 2025 has the Philadelphia 76ers voted as one of the league's worst organizations with 5.3% out of 113 votes cast. What should we make of this reputation from the players about the Sixers?

What if Jimmy Butler never left the Sixers in the summer of 2019, keeping him with Joel Embiid? How would things have looked for Embiid, Butler and the organization? Championship?

Kevin Durant, Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson are among the big-name players expected to be in trade rumors this summer. Will the Sixers be involved in any sort of star-hunting moves, or could they send out Paul George in a house-cleaning trade of their own?

Between Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, there are some big time prospects available to the Sixers in the 2025 NBA Draft. But what's the worst outcome for Philly if they keep (and make) their pick? Plus discussion of Elton Brand potentially moving to the Atlanta Hawks and Jared McCain trade rumors.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers are among the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Finals. Are you backing the expected MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or veterans like LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the 2025 NBA playoffs?

Nick Nurse kept his job despite a lot of scrutiny on his handling of the Sixers this season. With coaches like Taylor Jenkins and Mike Malone losing their jobs, how much pressure is he under to deliver results early next season?

Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George failed as a big three with the Sixers this season. How do their games need to evolve in order to avoid a similar fate next year?

Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse are preparing for changes this offseason, but continuity will likely be the Sixers' theme. As they reshape the roster, who do you want in, and who do you want out?

Daryl Morey shared his vision of the Sixers' future roster during exit interviews on Sunday. Do you trust he can turn the team around with Nick Nurse with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and the other core members in place?

That's a wrap. The disappointing season for the Philadelphia 76ers has finally come to an end after a 118-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon. With their latest defeat, the Sixers finish the season with a 24-58 record and the 5th best odds for the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery next month. The PHLY Sixers postgame show discusses the end of one of the most unexpected seasons in recent memory.

With just eight players available, the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers gave the visiting Atlanta Hawks all they could handle but fell short in the end, 124-110. The Sixers received plenty of contributions from the guys that suited up with all five starters in double-figures led by Jared Butler's 25 points and a career-high 20 for Marcus Bagley. Colin Castleton added 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the 76ers. Trae Young turned it up in the second half with 23 of his game-high 36 over the final two quarters -- Caris LeVert went off for 31 in a reserve role for the Hawks. Philadelphia will host the Chicago Bulls for the season finale on Sunday afternoon.

Behind a career night from Jeff Dowtin Jr, a strong performance by Lonnie Walker IV and a big third quarter from Quentin Grimes, the Philadelphia 76ers snapped their 12 game losing streak with a win over Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards. It was Philadelphia's first victory since March 16th.With the win the Sixers (24-56) have three more wins than the New Orleans Pelicans (21-58) and two fewer than the Brooklyn Nets (26-53) with two games left to play as the three teams jostle for lottery positioning.

The Denver Nuggets fired head coach Mike Malone just days before the NBA's regular season ends. With the Sixers at the end of their own disappointing season, how will this move shake up the coaching market?

Despite another strong performance from Quentin Grimes, including an electric third quarter to briefly give the Sixers the lead, Philadelphia fell to Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware and the Miami Heat on Monday night. It's the 12th straight loss for the Sixers, who fell to 23-56 on the season, and are now one step closer to locking in one of the five worst records in the league as they look to keep their top-6 protected pick in next month's NBA Draft Lottery.

The Philadelphia 76ers have now lost their 11th game in a row following a hard-fought 114-109 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards hit a huge three-pointer, facing a double team and against the shot clock while clinging to a two-point lead with 7 seconds to play, giving the visitors the victory for their 5th straight W. Sixers' guard Quentin Grimes scored 17 of his team-high 28 in the fourth but it wasn't enough to come away with the win for the scrappy 76ers. Edwards led all scorers with 37 points, 18 in the final frame.

A new season-long 10th loss in a row for the Philadelphia 76ers after falling to the Milwaukee Bucks, 126-113. Despite another loss for the Sixers, rookie big man Adem Bona was outstanding finishing with a personal best 28 points. Bona shot 13 of 14 from the floor with six rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Quentin Grimes recorded his 3rd double-double of the season with 24 points and 10 assists. Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 16 rebounds and 20 assists (career high), leading Milwaukee to their 42nd win of the season.

The Philadelphia 76ers' announced Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery to address his left knee issues that only allowed him to play 19 games this season. Will the surgery help him return to form or is this going to be a consistent problem for the rest of his career? 

The final NBA MVP straw poll has been completed for the 2025 NBA season, and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander looks like a lock to win the first of his career. Will he hold off Nikola Jokic when it's all said and done?

Valiant effort by the Philadelphia 76ers but the New York Knicks were just too much with a comfortable 105-91 win -- tying the Sixers' season-long 9-game losing streak. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 27 points while Landry Shamet hurt his old team with 20 points off the bench including six made 3s. Quentin Grimes paced Phialdelphia's scoring with 25 against his former team. The Sixers are now 23-52 and a full two games behind the Brooklyn Nets for the 5th worst record in the league.

Something rare happened for the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday -- they won. With the Brooklyn Nets defeating the Dallas Mavericks Monday night, the Sixers are now 1.5 games behind the Nets in their lottery race, increasing the 76ers' chances of staying in the bottom five with 7 games remaining. Will Philadelphia add another loss to their record when they face the 3rd seed Knicks in New York?

The Sixers could end up with a top-six pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which would put Daryl Morey in a tough spot. Is there a prospect in that range that could change the team's fortunes, or should they consider moving it in a trade for a later lottery pick?

If you're in the camp of wanting the Philadelphia 76ers (23-52) to keep their protected top-6 pick in June's NBA draft, things are starting to fall your way. After falling to the Toronto Raptors, the Sixers are a full five games behind Toronto and one game back of the Brooklyn Nets while sporting the fifth-worst record in the league -- improving their lottery odds with seven games remaining. How likely is it that they lose out the rest of the way?

The Philadelphia 76ers are now officially eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs. With their 118-95 loss to the Miami Heat, the Sixers' record falls to 23-51 on the year and will miss the postseason for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. Jared Butler posted a 19-point, 10 assist double-double for the 76ers, while Heat All-Star guard Tyler Herro netted a game-high 30, lifting Miami to the win.

The Philadelphia 76ers drop their 50th game of the season in a 119-114 loss to the now 16-win Washington Wizards. Washington scored 45 first-quarter points to set the tone, ultimately shooting 50 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the three-point line on 18 makes. Philadelphia made a late push in the fourth but fell short in the end to lose their 6th game in a row. Six players scored in double figures for the Sixers led by 22 from Quentin Grimes.

Is Daryl Morey at risk of being fired by Sixers owner Josh Harris? Do the Sixers have a plan to address Joel Embiid's troublesome knee? And is Ace Bailey looking more appealing as a top-five pick with more games to evaluate the 2025 NBA Draft class?

With Quentin Grimes having the night off for rest, joining stars Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey on the bench, the Sixers' lack of offensive firepower was too much to overcome as they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that could prove crucial when the lottery rolls around on May 12th. With the win the Pelicans (20-53), who have the 4th worst record in the league, now have just three fewer wins than the 76ers (23-49), who currently occupy the 5th spot in the reverse standings. The Sixers were also helped out by Toronto (25-47), who picked up a big win to put some space between themselves and the Sixers.

Another game, another loss for the Philadelphia 76ers -- extending their losing streak to four following a 132-119 loss at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. The Sixers trailed by as many as 27 points in the second half with the Hawks hanging 41 on the 76ers in the third quarter to pull away. Despite another defeat, Justin Edwards continues to show positive signs for Philadelphia with another outstanding performance posting 20+ for the second consecutive game. The Sixers will wrap up their 6-game trip on Monday night in New Orleans in an important matchup against the Pelicans.

Despite a strong comeback by the Sixers in the 3rd quarter, the Spurs used a 12-0 run late in the 4th to take control of the game and pull away with the hard-fought win in San Antonio. The Sixers had a balanced scoring attack led by 20+ points from Guerschon Yabusele, Justin Edwards, Quentin Grimes and Ricky Council IV off the bench, along with an active defense that forced turnovers and got them out in transition as the Sixers are beginning to find an identity on offense without stars Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in the lineup.

The Philadelphia 76ers were no match for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the 76ers got blown out despite the Thunder playing without MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in addition to absences from mainstays Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams. Former 76er Isaiah Joe led a 3-point barrage for the Thunder, who ran the 76ers out of the gym with a huge second-half shooting display. With Joel Embiid and Paul George done for the season, and Tyrese Maxey out once again, the 76ers have been riding the hot hand of Quentin Grimes, but the newly-acquired Grimes had a rare off night for the Sixers in a losing effort.

From Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe to Jeremiah Fears and Jase Richardson, there are a lot of talented players in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Which guys and games should Sixers fans have their eye on?

Despite a career-high 46 points from Quentin Grimes, the Houston Rockets came back from a 25-point second half deficit to force overtime on an Alperen Sengun tip-in at the buzzer, then pulled away in the extra frame for their 7th consecutive win. Jabari Smith Jr had a season-high 30 off the bench for the Rockets. The Sixers came out firing on all cylinders early on, making a season high 24 3-pointers to finish with one of their best offensive performances of the season. In addition to Grimes, Jared Butler (21 points) and Justin Edwards (18) each had big nights in a losing effort.

Behind a more focused defensive effort in the second half, another strong scoring game from Quentin Grimes and an uncharacteristically deep performance from the bench, the Sixers hung on for a close win over the Dallas Mavericks to end their three game losing streak. In a game highlighted by the All-Star cast of talent not on the floor, from Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis for the Mavs to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey for the Sixers, it was instead a collection of role players fighting for their NBA lives who put on an unexpectedly entertaining game in the dog days of the NBA season.

A lot of fight from Nick Nurse's group tonight as the Philadelphia 76ers fall to the Indiana Pacers, 112-100. The Sixers led the visiting Pacers by as many as 16 in the first half with inspired play from the shorthanded group, taking a four-point lead into halftime. But things started to balance out in the second half as the Pacers took control of the game, eventually putting the Sixers away with the double-digit win. The 76ers were led by Jeff Dowtin who posted a career-high 24 points to lead the team in scoring.

Despite another strong performance by Quentin Grimes and a career-high from Jeff Dowtin Jr, the Philadelphia 76ers lost a crucial game to the Toronto Raptors to give them a leg up in the tanking sweepstakes. With the loss, the Sixers (22-43) jumped over the Raptors (23-43) and are now tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the 5th worst record in the NBA, improving the chances that they retain the top-6 protected pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft that they owe the Oklahoma City Thunder as a result of the Al Horford trade all those years ago.

Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe is the best athlete in his class and may separate from the players in the tier below Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. Could the Sixers take him over Kasparas Jakucionis or Tre Johnson if they hold onto their pick?

With Kelly Oubre Jr joining Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George on the sidelines, the Sixers' skeleton crew, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, were blown out by an Atlanta Hawks team playing without star guard Trae Young. Quentin Grimes gave the Sixers a spark with another monster scoring night, but their defense let them down against the short-handed Hawks, who were led by a good all-around performance from rookie Zaccharie Risacher in the win. With the loss, the Sixers fell to 22-42 on the season, and the Sixers' loss, combined with a Chicago win, puts the Sixers 4.5 out of the final play-in spot with 18 games left to play.

The Philadelphia 76ers win the battle of the tank on this night after defeating the visiting Utah Jazz, 126-122. The Sixers snapped their 3-game losing streak behind a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double from Lonnie Walker IV, 25 for Quentin Grimes and several key contributions from the 76ers' reserves in extended minutes for Nick Nurse's group. Philadelphia picked up their 22nd win on the season.

Despite playing without Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, the Boston Celtics still had enough firepower to beat the Philadelphia 76ers with ease. Led by All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Payton Pritchard, the Celtics pulled away from the Sixers in the second half to pick up their 45th win of the season. The Sixers, playing without Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, fell to a season-worst 20 games below .500.

Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are two of the top prospects of the 2025 NBA Draft class, each with fit questions on the Sixers. If the Sixers have their choice of the two, who makes more sense next to Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid?

Playing without stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers could not keep up with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Julius Randle, Naz Reid and company pulled away from the Sixers with a 3-point shooting barrage in the second half. Quentin Grimes continued his stellar play for the Sixers, dropping another 30-point performance in the loss. Paul George did not play in the fourth quarter and finished with just seven points as the Sixers fell 21-40 on the season.