It has been a nightmare season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Their prized offseason acquisition, Paul George, has become arguably the worst contract on any team's books in the NBA. After contributing to the United States men's basketball team's gold medal run this summer, Joel Embiid only played 19 games this season.
The injury bug plaguing the Sixers even bit their first-round pick, Jared McCain, whose season ended in December when the rookie tore his left meniscus.
Philadelphia, 23-49, lay claim to the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers share the fifth-worst record in the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets. If their first-round draft pick falls outside the top six, it conveys to the kings of draft capital, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Between Oklahoma City's picks, swaps, and protected selections, the Thunder have amassed a treasure chest that contains 29 first and second-round selections between now and 2031.
The latter franchise is gearing up for the playoffs and perhaps an ascent to the NBA's summit, where the Larry O'Brien Trophy awaits. Meanwhile, as the 2024-25 regular season nears its conclusion, the Sixers' goals are retaining their first-round pick and finding players who can contribute to next year's team.
The 76ers signed Lonnie Walker IV to a two-year deal in February. They also brought in Chuma Okeke and David Roddy that month. In March, they acquired a member of the Boston Celtics' title-winning team last season in Oshae Brissett. Philadelphia also added Jalen Hood-Schifino and Marcus Bagley.
The Sixers' latest March maneuver is signing Philip Wheeler to a 10-day contract, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. While playing in the G League, Wheeler produced 15.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Maine Celtics and Texas Legends.
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The Rumson, New Jersey native is a six-foot-eight forward who went undrafted in 2022. Before that, he was suiting up for the Mexico City Capitanes.
In 2024, in three games with Puerto Rico's national men's basketball team at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers, Wheeler averaged 8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Wheeler most recently played for the Celtics' G League affiliate in Maine. There, he appeared in 25 contests, including 16 starts. He registered 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while logging 27.4 minutes per matchup.