Instead of competing for a championship like most anticipated, the Philadelphia 76ers have the fifth-highest odds to land the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

A snowball effect essentially took place in Philadelphia, as after early-season shortcomings and injuries, the Big Three of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey were one by one ruled out for the year. The reason the 76ers were comfortable shutting down their All-Star trio is because to keep their draft pick, it must fall in the top six, or it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, to be blunt, Embiid, George, and Maxey should not care. Their focus needs to be on building chemistry with each other and strengthening individual health, which is seemingly what the trio has already discussed.

“I think that’s very important,” George told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. “We’ve already talked about seeing each other, where we’re going to be this summer. So we’ve already had those conversations about connecting once the season’s over. I think it’s very important.

“I don’t think it’s healthy to go two, three months before seeing each other, regardless of if we’re checking in over the phone. It’s just different seeing each other.”

Staying in contact is one of the many keys to success, as it’s hard to find the needed chemistry on the court when there is none off it. However, the Sixers fanbase certainly wants to see George put an emphasis on bouncing back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.

He averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 43% shooting in 41 games last season. This was his lowest points per game tally since 2015, when he only played six games.

Training with Embiid and Maxey is one of the definite steps George needs to take this summer.