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Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
Despite Paul George’s 25-game suspension, the team rides a hot streak into a pivotal trade deadline week.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealing with some real drama lately, but they’re not letting it slow them down. Paul George got hit with a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program—something he attributed to taking improper medication while seeking mental health treatment. He took full responsibility in his statement, and the ban started at the end of January. George won’t be back until around March 25, 2026, meaning the team will miss his two-way impact on both ends for a big chunk of the second half of the season.
Coach Nick Nurse has been clear about what that means: others have to step up. And so far, they have. The Sixers just wrapped a back-to-back that extended their win streak to five games—their longest of the season. They beat the Clippers on the road to make it four straight, then crushed the Warriors 113-94 on Tuesday night, with rookie VJ Edgecombe leading the way (25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists). Guys like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are playing at MVP levels—Maxey lighting it up as the primary ball-handler, Embiid looking dominant again after his resurgence. The chemistry is strong, and the bench is contributing more consistently.
In the middle of all this, the front office made a surprising move right before the deadline: they traded second-year guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In return, Philly gets a 2026 first-round pick (via the Houston Rockets), plus three second-rounders (a favorable 2027 pick among OKC/HOU/IND/MIA, 2028 from Milwaukee, and 2028 from OKC). It wasn’t the move most expected—plenty figured Quentin Grimes would be the one shipped out first given the logjam at guard. But moving McCain clears minutes and creates real flexibility. It drops the Sixers out of the luxury tax apron territory, which opens the door to convert Dominick Barlow’s two-way contract to a standard deal without penalties.
Whether this trade ends up being a win depends on how the picks play out and what else happens, but it’s a clear signal: Daryl Morey is prioritizing cap space and depth over holding onto every young piece. This could be the setup for a bigger swing before the deadline passes on Thursday, February 5, at 3 p.m. ET, or just a smart way to stay under the tax while addressing needs. With the East wide open—teams dealing with injuries and inconsistencies—Philly has a real shot if they add the right role players.
Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
The week wraps with the road trip continuing: they face the Lakers in Los Angeles tomorrow night (February 5), then the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. They’re currently one game out of the No. 4 seed in the East, and with Embiid healthy and Maxey carrying the load, the ceiling feels high. The next 24 hours could reshape the roster, but the momentum is there. This team is built to compete now—let’s see if Morey pulls off something to push them further.
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