What's next for 76ers? Joel Embiid's future, Nick Nurse's job, more questions surrounding Philadelphia's offseason

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to be the same team in the Joel Embiid era: good, but not quite good enough due to roster-building and health issues. Whether that cycle continues in 2026-27 will depend on their upcoming offseason.

After a 45-win season and return to the playoffs following a one-year hiatus, the 76ers did make some noise by making a comeback against the Boston Celtics in the first round, but ultimately came up well-short against the Knicks in Round 2 — which now marks the sixth time in the Embiid era that Philadelphia fell in the second round of the postseason.

Potential next steps are complicated for the 76ers. On one hand, they own some of the NBA's best talent on paper, including a dynamic young backcourt. On the other, they remain stagnant in the playoffs, partially due to the ongoing health concerns surrounding Embiid and Paul George.

Here's a look at the next steps for the 76ers after their latest playoff exit.

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What's next for 76ers?

Unlike some past offseasons, there's no clear path for the 76ers to significantly improve their roster in the coming months unless they make drastic changes, which appears unlikely.

At minimum, the franchise will go into this offseason knowing it has two star-level contributors in its backcourt, both of whom are under the age of 26. Tyrese Maxey is coming off an All-NBA-type season, averaging 28.3 points and 6.6 assists as the lead guard, while V.J. Edgecombe proved to be a dynamic defender and do-it-all player as a rookie, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2026

The Sixers, with Embiid being 32 and Paul George being 35, have two different timelines within their star core right now. Embiid and George can still contribute to winning — they proved as much in the first round against Boston before both slowed down in Round 2 against New York. But building around Maxey and Edgecombe for the longer-term should still be the priority; those two have a chance to someday become the NBA's best backcourt, bringing an outstanding mix of scoring, athleticism and relentlessness each game that the franchise needs.

This offseason will be about maximizing the Maxey-Edgecombe duo while also accounting for the presence of George and Embiid. Financially, that means all Philadelphia can do is aim to improve on the margins of its roster and hope for better health in 2026-27. The team does not own its first-round pick, which will go to the Thunder, but does control the Rockets' pick at No. 22 overall from the Jared McCain trade.

With a Maxey-Edgecombe-George-Embiid core that's certainly capable of championship-level play at its best, part of the upcoming offseason will be an aspect the 76ers are all too familiar with: getting healthy. When Embiid did play this past season, he showed flashes of his MVP-like self, averaging 26.9 points per game in the regular season, then carving up the Celtics to complete the 3-1 comeback.

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 29, 2026

Even a slowed-down and far less athletic version of Embiid looked like one of the NBA's best scorers and most impactful players. It's been said in the past repeatedly, but whatever it takes to keep Embiid near 100 percent health over a full season needs to be done.

Managing George's health is also critical. By now, he's certainly deep in the "overpaid" category with his $212 million deal he signed in 2024, but George can still be a terrific secondary scorer and playmaker for the 76ers as he ages. Between a 25-game suspension and injuries, he appeared in just 37 games this past season, but George then flashed his perimeter scoring skills and elite defense in the playoffs.

Paul George, Game 6 pic.twitter.com/VjaRQu7daz

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 1, 2026

For two straight years of the Embiid-George duo, Philadelphia has largely failed to find a rhythm in the regular season due to the veterans' consistent absences. The team missed the playoffs in 2025 before their second-round exit in 2026.

It's not impossible for the Sixers to make a big move this offseason, but it shouldn't be expected due to cap constraints and the hints of an already-competitive roster. Unfortunately for the 76ers, yet again, their best path to the 2026-27 title will simply revolve around Embiid and George staying healthy.

MORE: The Sporting News' 2026 NBA Draft Big Board

Will 76ers trade Joel Embiid?

Trading Embiid is arguably the biggest move the 76ers could make this offseason that's somewhat feasible. But the chances still appear extremely low for multiple reasons — for one, the franchise has repeatedly stood on its commitments to him as its franchise star, even through his health issues. Loyalty certainly plays a role between Embiid and Philadelphia. With the center coming off Year 10 with the Sixers, a team that has seen him fight through countless injuries just to play, he also looked elite in some of the biggest games of the season.

Even if the Sixers decide they do want to move on from Embiid, however, it's hard to find another NBA team that would be a fit. The best version of Embiid would have plenty of suitors — a dynamic center who can score at an all-time level would drive a massive trade return. But that isn't Embiid anymore, at least until he proves he can stay healthy. Any team that hypothetically took on Embiid's huge contract would be risking paying him to sit on the bench, making a deal further unlikely.

Philadelphia will likely remain content leaning on Embiid's skill set, hoping he can stay healthy to remain in title contention. Everything would have to align for an Embiid trade for it to actually take place, which likely includes his preferences being met.

Hypothetical fits could include the Warriors, Pistons, Bucks, Pacers or Trail Blazers, all teams that may be looking to get over the hump this offseason toward title contention with established stars in place. What's far more likely, however, is that Embiid's combination of health and contract size scares away any interested teams. Philadelphia will likely continue to live-or-die with the star center's health. 

Joel Embiid contract

Embiid has already been getting paid a ton while healing from injuries — and now, he's set to make even more.

The three-year, $187.9 million extension he signed with the 76ers in 2024 is set to kick in for the 2026-27 season, an AAV of $62.6 million that will make him the second-highest-paid player in the league, per Spotrac. Embiid will trail only Jayson Tatum's $62.8 million in AAV next season.

According to Spotrac, Embiid will carry the following cap hits over the next three years:

• 2026-27: $57,985,752
• 2027-28: $62,624,612
• 2028-29: $67,263,472

MORE: The Sporting News' latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft

Will 76ers fire Nick Nurse?

A coaching change appears to be the most plausible significant move Philadelphia can make this offseason. 

The 2025-26 season was Nick Nurse's third as the 76ers head coach — he joined the franchise in 2023 as the successor to Doc Rivers after being let go by the Raptors, with whom he won a title in 2018-19.

But with one missed playoff trip and two earlier playoff exits in his tenure, Nurse may be on the hot seat. Rivers was only given a three-year run in Philadelphia before he was let go, and that included three straight appearances in the second round. Nurse has one, although Embiid's health has been worse and the 76ers did show some fight by completing the 3-1 comeback vs. Boston.

If the Sixers are convinced a new coach could help elevate the roster, they may enter 2026-27 with a new voice at the helm. If not, Nurse's job security will be even tighter next season.

Nick Nurse replacements

Should the 76ers move on from Nurse, they would be pursuing a coach who could take a group of veterans to the next level. However, they may consider going outside the box in that scenario — Philadelphia's last two coaches were both hired with a championship on their resumes, but they both fell flat with the team.

Among the expected head coaching candidates this offseason, there aren't going to be any title-winners. However, the following names have already found some level of success as an NBA head coach:

• Tom Thibodeau
• Mike Budenholzer
• Terry Stotts
• Jeff Van Gundy
• Mark Jackson
• Billy Donovan

Philadelphia could also pursue a first-time head coach for a change of pace. Of those options, one that stands out is Sam Cassell, who was an assistant for the 76ers from 2020-23 and worked heavily with Maxey as he ascended into an All-Star. Cassell has been an assistant with the Celtics since, a background with an elite franchise that could also be beneficial.

Here are some other potential first-year coaches that the 76ers could look at, should they move on from Nurse:

• Chris Quinn
• Becky Hammon
• Micah Nori
• Sean Sweeney
• Dave Bliss

MORE: Ranking the best NBA head coaching candidates for the 2026 offseason

76ers free agents

Philadelphia's 2026 free agents primarily consist of their top role players, meaning the team will have a chance to re-tool around the Maxey-Edgecombe-George-Embiid core this offseason. Of the free agents, Quentin Grimes or Kelly Oubre Jr. would appear the most likely to return — they have been solid wings throughout their time in Philadelphia.

Here's a look at the Sixers' upcoming free agents:

• G Quentin Grimes
• F Kelly Oubre Jr.
• C Andre Drummond
• G Kyle Lowry
• F Dominick Barlow (club option)
• F Trendon Watford (club option)
• G Dalen Terry (club option)
• G MarJon Beauchamp (RFA)
• F Tyrese Martin (RFA)

MORE: Where could Billy Donovan land next?