The Philadelphia 76ers’ championship window hinges on two players who must prove their worth after a season derailed by injuries and underperformance. With Joel Embiid and Paul George facing mounting pressure to deliver, the franchise’s $400 million investment in star power will be tested like never before.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes the duo faces the league’s most intense scrutiny entering the 2025-26 season, setting the stage for what he calls a “revenge tour” that could define both players’ legacies in Philadelphia.
Championship Expectations Meet Reality Check
The 76ers’ aggressive offseason moves last year painted a picture of championship ambition. Paul George’s four-year, $211.58 million contract and Tyrese Maxey’s $204 million five-year extension created a Big Three designed to compete with the Eastern Conference’s elite.
Instead, Philadelphia delivered one of the season’s most disappointing campaigns, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-58 record that exposed the gap between talent and execution.
The injury bug that has plagued Embiid throughout his career struck again, limiting him to just 19 games while knee problems continued to mount. George, meanwhile, struggled through his own injury issues, with a groin problem contributing to career-low averages of 16.2 points on 43% shooting, along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game across 41 appearances.
Even Maxey, who posted career highs in points and steals, couldn’t compensate for his star teammates’ absence and struggles. Perkins, speaking on the latest episode of Perk Unplugged, didn’t mince words about the expectations facing Philadelphia’s veteran stars.
“I believe Joel Embiid is going to come back on a revenge tour. I believe so. This is going to be a revenge season for Joel Embiid,” Perkins said.
“I believe he’s going to come back on a mission. Well, he should. He should because him and Paul George are probably, in my opinion, not probably, they are when it comes to pressure, they’re the top two for as most pressure in the NBA to get something done.”
The Pressure Cooker of Philadelphia’s Championship Window
Embiid’s decade-long tenure with the 76ers has been defined by individual brilliance shadowed by postseason disappointments and injury concerns. Coming off an MVP season in 2023, his drop to 23.8 points per game last season reflected both limited playing time and the physical toll of his injury history.
For a player who has carried the franchise’s hopes for years, the upcoming season represents a crossroads between championship contention and the reality of a closing window.
George’s situation carries different but equally intense pressure. His arrival was supposed to provide the veteran leadership and playoff experience that Philadelphia lacked. Instead, his first season became a cautionary tale about aging superstars adapting to new systems while battling physical limitations.
The stark contrast between his career averages and last season’s production highlighted the risk the 76ers took in committing significant resources to a player entering his mid-30s.
Perkins set the bar high for what constitutes success, declaring that anything less than a Conference Finals appearance would represent failure. “Nobody wants to hear nothing else. You got to get it done. You got to get that sh*t done. Period. No other way around it. Conference Finals minimum with that Big Three with Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid.”
The 76ers’ draft additions of VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome signal both immediate depth needs and long-term planning beyond the current core. While both rookies provide solid rotational pieces behind George and Embiid, their selection also suggests organizational preparation for a future without the veteran stars, adding another layer of urgency to the upcoming season.
Maxey’s emergence as a legitimate third star provides the 76ers with a foundation that extends beyond the immediate pressure facing Embiid and George. His career-high production last season demonstrated the growth trajectory that gives Philadelphia hope for sustained success, but his continued development will be necessary to maximize the championship window while the veteran stars remain healthy and productive.