Sixers 2025-26 outlook centers on Embiid, Maxey and George as Philadelphia tries to shake off a disastrous prior season with a faster, more versatile supporting cast. Jared McCain, a 2025 draftee who looked primed for Rookie of the Year before a meniscus tear curtailed his rookie campaign, sits at the center of fantasy intrigue with +1200 odds to win 6th Man of the Year in 2026. The front office is balancing guard depth and pace, with Quentin Grimes potentially in the mix as a backcourt contributor, which could impact McCain’s minutes and ceiling.

McCain’s path to meaningful minutes hinges on his shooting and readiness to perform in a high-pace system. Embiid and Maxey remain the focal points, while George adds veteran star power, shaping usage and floor spacing. The 82-game grind demands a guard who can defend, hit 3s and push tempo; fantasy players should monitor preseason cues on McCain’s role, Grimes’ return status, and how load management might compress or expand backcourt opportunities.

Free agency in the NBA remains a chessboard with cap space at a premium and a handful of star free agents remaining unsigned. Russell Westbrook and seven-figure deals aren’t a given, with Westbrook likely to shift to a sixth franchise in seven seasons if Sacramento becomes his next stop. Jonathan Kuminga stands firm on a long-term commitment, rejecting a trade-friendly deal in favor of real security. Ben Simmons is trapped in a numbers crunch as rosters fill and the luxury tax looms. Al Horford’s potential Warriors return could reshape lineups, easing Draymond Green’s burden if healthy.

Cam Thomas looms as a restricted free agent whose next move could hinge on one-year offers and team options, while Josh Giddey and Quentin Grimes chase deals that fit their long-term trajectories amid scarce cap space. Dennis Schroder’s path remains tangled in the apron and open roster spots, a reminder that most teams have already filled out their rosters. Across the board, Hall-of-Fame aspirants like Damian Lillard and Chris Paul are cited as examples of the evolving free-agent market and the delicate balance between role, fit, and price. For fantasy, the players whose roles feel most solidified—Horford as a two-way starter when healthy, Kuminga as a potential cornerstone or trade asset, and Cam Thomas as a high-usage scorer in Nets’ plans—stand out in a constrained market.

Cam Thomas stands at a crossroads with Brooklyn. The Nets haven\u2019t pushed a long-term deal, and Thomas may opt for a $5.99M qualifying offer to chase true free agency next summer. Brooklyn is reportedly willing to re-sign him, but only if he signs to their terms, amid a market that some see as placing his value between $15M and $30M per year. The Nets\u2019 offer on the table is described as two years at $14.1M annually, a bridge more than a ceiling. He posted a breakout season (24.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.8 APG) with 34.9% from deep, underscoring the gamble of the QO path.

Thomas is grouped with other notable restricted free agents: Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Quentin Grimes. The draft of this RFAs\u2014and the market around them\u2014could shape Brooklyn\u2019s roster construction and next-season usage. The situation has clear fantasy angles: a QO could delay long-term certainty but preserve max leverage for Thomas, while a longer Nets commitment might cap his ceiling depending on surrounding moves.

The Philadelphia 76ers are currently navigating the complex waters of free agency, focusing on the future of Quentin Grimes, a restricted free agent. Grimes, who averaged a notable 21.9 points per game after joining the team last season, is seeking a lucrative deal reportedly worth $20 million per year. However, the market for restricted free agents is tight, leaving the Sixers in a unique position where they are essentially negotiating against themselves.

There are indications that Grimes might opt for the qualifying offer of $8.5 million for the 2025-26 season, with a deadline of October 1 to finalize any agreement. Signing the qualifying offer would grant Grimes a no-trade clause, which adds another layer of strategy to the situation. The team is keen on retaining him, but the dynamics of the offer could lead to a high-stakes gamble where Grimes would be betting on his own performance in the upcoming season to secure a more lucrative contract.