The 2025-26 season is quickly approaching for the Philadelphia 76ers as they look to put a miserable 24-58 season behind them. The Sixers will hope for better health in the coming season as their Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey were only able to play a grand total of 18 games together–finishing only 15 in the 2024-25 season.
It’s now time to look ahead to the new season and time to break down each position for the Sixers in an effort to preview what the season might look like. Sixers Wire will continue with the shooting guards now and take a look at what the Sixers bring to the table at the position:
Starter: Jared McCain
McCain was on his way to being in the Rookie of the Year race as he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from deep before having to undergo surgery in December to repair a laterally torn meniscus in his left knee. As he prepares for his second season, one can assume he will be the starter due to his shooting ability.
One has to assume McCain will get the start when considering his shooting ability and how well he moves without the ball. When Embiid gets doubled on the block, he has to be able to have reliable shooters to kick it out to and McCain fits that mold. Before he went down with the injury, it was impressive to watch him move without the basketball and find open spots on the floor. One normally doesn’t see that from a player so young.
Depth behind McCain
The Sixers will certainly give minutes to No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe. He will receive minutes next to Maxey at times, and the Sixers will likely run some 3-guard lineups out there to see what a Maxey-McCain-Edgecombe lineup would look like on either end of the floor. Should the Sixers have success with those lineups, it would make life much easier for everybody involved. Eric Gordon is also around to put up his usual assortment of 3-pointers.