After years of stockpiling high draft picks, the Philadelphia 76ers may finally have a chance to see all their young pieces on the basketball court. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Markelle Multz all look like potential stars that form arguably the best young core in the NBA.
During the 2016-2017 NBA season, Embiid was by far the best rookie to hit the floor. His combination of post play, shooting, and defense was impressive, cementing himself as one of the league's next superstars.
However, the center only appeared in 31 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee and his injury has complicated talks of a possible extension. According to Tom Moore of Bucks County Courier Times, general manager Bryan Colangelo is still hopeful a deal can get done.
With an injury history like Embiid's, any negotiation will be tricky because a franchise would be handicapped financially for the foreseeable future if a player cannot stay healthy. However, a burgeoning big man like Joel Embiid does not come around very often and locking him up now may still be the best course of action.
The 76ers have assembled what looks to be the next up-and-coming team in the NBA and it will be interesting to see how all the pieces fit once the 2017-18 NBA season starts. In a considerably weaker Eastern Conference, the Sixers may very well surprise some people.