**Sixers Hit New Low as Team-Building Strategy Faces Scrutiny**

The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in dire straits just 13 games into the 2024-25 NBA season, with a dismal 2-11 record following a humiliating collapse against Miami. Preseason optimism has evaporated as the numerous issues stemming from their team-building approach come to the forefront.

Over the offseason, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey dramatically overhauled the roster. The team parted ways with nearly all its critical internal free agents and brought in significant external talent—including nine-time All-Star Paul George, established wing Caleb Martin, and elite rebounder Andre Drummond. This move aimed to create a formidable trio alongside former MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey.

However, the current NBA salary cap environment, with a "soft cap" of about $140 million, made this strategy particularly risky. The combined salaries of Embiid, George, and Maxey amount to just over $135 million, leaving limited room for depth. The NBA's new financial landscape has discouraged teams from building around three max-contract players, and the Sixers are experiencing firsthand why this trend has emerged.

To make matters worse, the trio of Embiid, George, and Maxey has yet to play a single game together. Of a possible 33 combined appearances, they have only managed 17. This inconsistency has put immense pressure on the team's supporting cast, who have largely underperformed. Martin has struggled with an increased offensive load, Kelly Oubre Jr. has been inefficient, and veterans Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon appear to be past their prime. Drummond, too, is posting career-worst numbers.

Head coach Nick Nurse has faced difficulties finding ways to maximize this patchwork roster. Despite acknowledging the unique challenges, some of his decisions have left fans scratching their heads. Frustration reached a peak following the Miami game, where Nurse took over an hour to address the press, revealing the team held a "little meeting" with no further details provided.

Joel Embiid, while recovering from an injury that sidelined him for the first nine games, has not looked like his dominant self. His reduced scoring aggression was evident in the game against Miami, where he failed to attempt a single free throw for the first time in nearly seven years.

Even with promising signs from rookie guard Jared McCain, who has become a bright spot with consistent high-scoring performances, the Sixers' season hinges on Embiid's return to form. Embiid's struggle to rediscover his MVP-level play casts a shadow over the team's aspirations. While the new roster may eventually gel and propel the Sixers to regular-season success, achieving their ultimate goal of winning a championship seems increasingly distant without Embiid at his best.