The Philadelphia 76ers will have their eyes on bouncing back in the 2025-26 season. After expecting to contend for a title in the previous season, the Sixers were decimated by injuries and went 24-58 in the 2024-25 season. After a season like that one, it’s time to move on and get ready for a fresh one.

The Sixers will still rely on their Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, but they will also be looking to the younger, versatile pieces they acquired in the offseason to give them the boost they need to get through the 82-game grind.

With that being said, coach Nick Nurse will have some options he can play with. Here are some lineups that he can turn to in the coming season:

The starters

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: Jared McCain

SF: Quentin Grimes (assuming he returns)

PF: Paul George

C: Joel Embiid

No matter what the Sixers get from their youngsters in the coming season, their success will come down to what Embiid and George will give them. Embiid, especially, is coming off a season where he played only 19 games and didn’t exactly look like himself in those games while George was limited to only 41 games. The Sixers will likely turn to McCain and Grimes (should he return) to provide the shooting needed for the Big 3 to go to work.

The closers

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: Jared McCain

SF: Quentin Grimes

PF: Paul George

C: Joel Embiid

Depending on how he’s doing on a specific night, Kelly Oubre Jr. can also see some closing minutes due to his versatility and ability to defend multiple positions. With that being said, the Sixers will need shooting on the floor around Embiid and George late in games so they can operate. McCain shot 38.3% from deep in the 23 games he was able to play as a rookie and Grimes shot 37.3% from deep with the Sixers after the deadline deal. Maxey stepped up in a big way in terms of clutch as he averaged 4.9 points in clutch situations per the NBA’s official database.

The shooting lineup

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: Jared McCain

SF: Eric Gordon

PF: Paul George

C: Joel Embiid

All of these guys can stick a 3. Maxey, especially, had his numbers skewed in 2024-25 due to the lack of help around him, but he is an elite shooter who can knock down tough shots. McCain is excellent at moving off the ball and finding his spots on the floor and being able to knock down open looks from beyond the arc. Gordon shot 40.9% from deep in his first go around with the Sixers while George and Embiid can knock down shots as well.

The all bench lineup

PG: VJ Edgecombe

SG: Justin Edwards

SF: Kelly Oubre Jr.

PF: Trendon Watford

C: Andre Drummond

The Sixers still have Kyle Lowry on the roster, but if Nurse is thinking youth, then Edgecombe has to get the backup point guard minutes. He is lightning quick, athletic as ever, and he’s a thirst to be great in this league. Edwards has to be in the rotation after a productive rookie season, Oubre is still around to provide a little bit of everything, and free agency addition Watford is going to be helpful with his ball-handling and playmaking from the power forward spot. A healthy Drummond will make a difference as well.

Going big

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: Kelly Oubre Jr.

SF: Paul George

PF: Trendon Watford

C: Joel Embiid

A bigger lineup would include Oubre, George, and Watford on the perimeter as three players who can defend their tails off while also being impactful offensive players. The Sixers can turn to those three to provide length on the defensive end, while they can also be playmakers on the offensive end and offensive hubs. Shooting would be an issue with this lineup, however, as Oubre and Watford aren’t top threats from 3-point range.

Going small

PG: Tyrese Maxey

SG: VJ Edgecombe

SF: Jared McCain

PF: Paul George

C: Adem Bona

This would be an interesting lineup to turn to if the Sixers want to force turnovers and quicken the pace. A backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe would be fascinating to watch as both players are lightning fast with the basketball and one has to wonder what Edgecombe will look like with real NBA spacing around him as he gets set to begin his NBA career. George will be the hub, McCain will be the shooter, and Bona will provide his normal spark.