The Philadelphia 76ers faced a challenging 2024-25 NBA season, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference with a disappointing 24-58 record. The team's struggles were largely attributed to injuries to key players, including MVP Joel Embiid, who managed to play only 19 games due to ongoing knee issues. His season was marked by an average of 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, but the Sixers ultimately ruled him out for the remainder of the year to address his health.

Amidst uncertainty surrounding Embiid's future with the team, NBA insider Bill Simmons suggested a potential trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Simmons proposed that the Lakers could offer a package excluding Austin Reaves, potentially including players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber, along with a first-round pick. Although trading Embiid would relieve the Sixers of his hefty contract, Simmons cautioned against parting ways with the seven-time All-Star unless a star player was included in the deal.