The Philadelphia 76ers are on an awkward trajectory to start this upcoming NBA season. They may have extended Joel Embiid’s contract but it seems like they didn’t make much of a difference with their roster. And oh, it doesn’t help that homegrown All-Star Ben Simmons isn’t in communication with them either. Simmons has been on the trade block but nothing serious enough for Daryl Morey to consider. 

The challenge for the 76ers here is to figure out what’s next for them. Will they finally consider a package for Simmons? Are they after Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard? How about the other role players like Tobias Harris, Danny Green and newly acquired Andre Drummond? Are they enough to maximize Embiid’s skills? There’s a ton of questions surrounding their team right now which ultimately can affect their regular season. 

The 76ers were an outstanding regular season team last season as they finished number one in the eastern conference standings. It seemed like they were to put up a fight against the Brooklyn Nets and defending champions Milwaukee Bucks. But the Sixers eventually fumbled in the playoffs and it didn’t help that Embiid was playing through an injured knee while Simmons couldn’t seem to shoot. 

It’s fair to question if it’s really time to disown “the process” that the 76ers have patiently been banking on for the past couple of years. Maybe that’s all going to happen this season because it’s never looked as bad as it does now. 

That all said, here are three way too early predictions that could happen for 76ers Nation this season:  

76ers predictions:

Ben Simmons finally gets traded 

At this point, is the relationship between Simmons and the Sixers management still salvageable? We’ve seen it in the past: If a player says they want to be traded then there’s no going back from there. But as mentioned above, the challenge for Morey is finding the right trade package for the number one pick back in 2016. Maybe Morey is waiting for when Dame time is finally available? 

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But given that it’s a player empowerment league, we’re not sure how much longer Morey can wait. It’s going to be awkward, and who really wants to start the season this way especially after such a horrible playoff exit the season prior? For sure not Doc Rivers. Philly will eventually have to trade Simmons. 

The 76ers won’t take the number one seed in the East

Unlike last season, the 76ers will not lead the east just because of their situation right now. For as great as Embiid is as a player, Philly just doesn’t have the firepower to compete against a lethal offensive team like the Brooklyn Nets. Maybe they can keep up against the Bucks but it’s hard to see Embiid and company leading the East again. 

It also doesn’t help that other teams in the East — the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and even the Chicago Bulls — are better now. The 76ers can keep up but the number one seed doesn’t just seem likely if they have to beat all these teams at least three times this season. Maybe that will help motivate them because we all saw that leading the eastern conference standings last season didn’t really help them at all. 

Joel Embiid has another spectacular season

Embiid, who finished second in the MVP race last season, had a spectacular campaign for the 76ers. He was close to establishing himself as arguably the best big man in the game but his durability remains a problem. What was inspiring to watch was him battling a torn meniscus during the playoffs where had balled out as well. He can do the same this year but the big man needs more help. 

Superstars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry have all gone through situations where it seemed like their teammates just weren’t good enough but yet these superstars managed to keep their team alive. Maybe that’s what happens to Embiid this season with the 76ers. He averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season and it’s fair to think that he can even do better this upcoming season. 

The good news for 76ers fans is that they don’t have to panic about Embiid leaving anymore. The extension he just signed depicts that he’s willing to trust the process even longer. It’ll just really be up to the Sixers if they can surround their superstar with the right talent.

The good news is that the 76ers have somewhat a decent trade package to offer for a potential all-star.