The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2025-26 campaign aiming to rebound from a disastrous 13th-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season.
The 76ers had high expectations after signing Paul George to a four-year, $211.6 million deal last offseason, but injuries derailed their season, and they finished with an abysmal 24-58 record. Philadelphia’s struggles, however, landed them the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which the organization used to select Baylor standout V.J. Edgecombe.
Aside from drafting Edgecombe, the 76ers didn’t make any significant changes this season. While the team still has the potential to compete in a wide-open Eastern Conference, injury concerns surrounding Joel Embiid, Jared McCain and George remain major storylines as the regular season approaches.
MORE: 76ers coach Nick Nurse applauds V.J. Edgecombe's 'great strides'
NBA analysts encourages Sixers to trade for Dillon Brooks
Although his status for Opening Night remains uncertain following offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, George is expected to start at power forward this season. However, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz believes the Sixers could target Dillon Brooks from the Phoenix Suns, potentially moving George to small forward.
“The Philadelphia 76ers are the NBA’s great mystery box. Talent vs. durability will hang over this franchise, although the team needs a true answer at power forward as well,” he wrote. “Brooks checks a number of these boxes, as his defense, three-point shooting, size and reliability (72-plus games each of the past three seasons) is exactly what this Sixers roster needs.”
The 76ers may not be ready to start Edgecombe immediately, which would slot Kelly Oubre Jr. at the three. Trading for Brooks, however, would give them a defensive-minded forward at the four.
Durability has been a major concern for Philadelphia, and adding a versatile 3-and-D player like Brooks would give the team a reliable option in the frontcourt. After being traded from the Houston Rockets to a Suns team without title aspirations, the 29-year-old may be available for future assets, and the 76ers could benefit from his services.
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