Embiid’s health remains the Sixers’ biggest question mark heading into 2025-26. He played 19 games in 2024-25 and needed a second knee surgery, after a prior left knee meniscus issue and a late-season scope. Philadelphia’s lofty ambitions collided with injuries and chemistry problems, fueling a lottery miss. A countering storyline: Paul George’s arrival alongside Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain injects star power and depth, with top draft pick V.J. Edgecombe adding upside. George’s own knee rehab muddies the early outlook, but healthy returners plus youth give Philly real rebound potential.

Sixers summer grind picks up steam as Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. are in the gym for 1-on-1 work, with Zach LaVine also mixing in, signaling a high-gear approach to entering 2025-26. Philly eyes a return to East contention, counting on Joel Embiid’s health and Paul George’s status as key upside cues for the roster and the fantasy landscape. Maxey’s leadership and development pace suggest a notable uptick in playmaking and scoring, while Oubre’s scoring versatility could juice wing totals if the pieces click.

Health is the hinge: Embiid’s durability and George’s availability shape not only the Sixers’ ceiling but also the surrounding fantasy targets. If those stars stay on the floor, the gym-time bet on Maxey and Oubre feels more compelling, with potential ramp in usage, shot volume, and efficiency that fantasy managers should monitor as workouts turn into on-court chemistry.

Jokic leads NBA 2K26 at 98, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the only player hovering in the elite tier. Embiid sits at 92, while Paul George drops to 81 after a rough 2024-25 season marked by knee issues and lower offensive involvement. The piece argues 2K’s ratings lean heavily on recency, flagging an inconsistency that keeps Embiid high while George sinks. Philly’s 24-win year amplifies fantasy-betting chatter as the game’s early access arrives Aug 29 and global launch Sept 5.