As the NBA Conference Finals progress, 26 of the 30 teams are already focused on building their rosters for the 2025-26 season. Speed has emerged as a crucial factor, highlighting players that excel in this area.

Among rookies, Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks has shown remarkable agility, promising a brighter future for the team. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Adem Bona, a rookie power forward, recorded the league's fastest speed, showcasing that big men are evolving to compete in a fast-paced game. Veteran Kris Dunn's speed revitalized his career with the Clippers, helping them secure a playoff spot.

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with a 24-58 record. Despite the struggles, three rookies emerged as bright spots. Undrafted Justin Edwards stepped up, averaging 10.1 points, while first-round pick Jared McCain was showing promise before a meniscus tear cut his season short. Second-round pick Adem Bona also made significant strides, contributing to the team's future prospects.

Edwards emphasized the progress made during the season, noting their chemistry developed over summer league and training sessions. With a focus on maximizing these young players' potential, the Sixers are looking ahead to capitalize on their growth in the next season.

The Philadelphia 76ers concluded a challenging 2024-25 season with a disappointing 24-58 record, marking their first playoff absence since 2016-17. Amidst a wave of injuries and roster turmoil, including an NBA record of 53 starting lineups, the team showcased the development of rookie Adem Bona, selected 41st overall in the draft. Bona emerged as a defensive anchor, proving effective in both rim protection and perimeter defense.

Throughout the season, he averaged 15.6 minutes per game, contributing significantly to the team's interior defense. His standout performance was a remarkable 28-point game against the Milwaukee Bucks, where he demonstrated his scoring ability and defensive prowess against superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite his offensive limitations, Bona's quick adaptation and growth as a shot-blocker and screener earned him an impressive final grade of A-minus for his rookie campaign.

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a disappointing 2024-25 season, marked by a focus on developing younger players like Adem Bona and Justin Edwards. Kyle Lowry, a veteran limited by injury, praised the growth opportunities these rookies received through increased playing time. Bona averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Edwards made a stronger impact with 10.1 points and a 36.3% three-point shooting rate.

Lowry emphasized the importance of experience for these young players, noting that gaining real NBA minutes in a challenging season could accelerate their development. As Lowry reflects on his own journey and the learning curve of adapting to the league, he finds satisfaction in mentoring the younger players. With Bona and Edwards set to enter their second seasons, they are positioned to leverage the lessons learned from this year into future success.

Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers is on the mend following meniscus surgery that prematurely ended his rookie season after just 23 games, where he averaged 15.3 points and 2.6 assists. As he progresses through recovery, McCain shared that he’s starting to jump without pain, a positive sign for his return. This offseason, his focus is solely on regaining his health and getting back on the court.

Throughout his time off, McCain has learned from seasoned players like Kyle Lowry and Tyrese Maxey, who have been instrumental in his development by offering guidance and insights from the sidelines. He also acknowledged the impact of teammate Jared Butler, particularly in running the offense and executing pick-and-roll situations effectively. McCain's eagerness to return reflects his confidence in his ability to contribute significantly to the team.