No matter what happens over the next month or so before training camp, the Philadelphia 76ers figure to be in the race for Eastern Conference supremacy in the 2021-22 season. Led by superstar Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons — for the moment — they will be a contender.
ESPN shares that belief. It has the Sixers ranked sixth in their latest edition of the early NBA power rankings:
There is only one thing anyone is talking about when it comes to the 76ers: What’s going to happen with Ben Simmons? Philly President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has shown throughout his career that he isn’t going to trade a player for less than what he thinks he is worth, and he isn’t going to make a trade for the sake of making one. So as long as a certain All-NBA point guard in Portland remains off the market, the expectation here is that Simmons will remain in Philadelphia — which could make for plenty of awkwardness when training camp opens next month.
The Sixers will have many questions to answer when the season begins in October, but there is no denying they have a lot of talent with Embiid, Simmons and the supporting cast. At this point, it is more about making sure they can get over the hump.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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