The Philadelphia 76ers' overhauled starting lineup has been ranked as the fourth-best in the NBA heading into the 2026-27 season. This high praise arrives as the team continues its preseason schedule, most recently falling 114-108 to the Brooklyn Nets on October 8.
Analysts are tipping their cap to president of basketball operations Mike Gansey for his aggressive offseason. He first engineered a trade, sending Paul George's contract to acquire Jaylen Brown. Brown is a Finals MVP coming off a career year and is seven years younger. Gansey then convinced LeBron James to sign a veteran minimum deal, adding unparalleled experience to a roster hungry for playoff success. Pairing them with a fit Joel Embiid and a dynamic backcourt creates a formidable core. John Gonzalez wrote that this group represents the Sixers' best starting five on paper since the 1983 championship team led by Julius Erving and Moses Malone.
Preseason results offer a mixed but intriguing preview. After a convincing 120-97 win over the New York Knicks on October 5, the Sixers dropped a close one to the Nets. The 114-108 loss on October 8 showed flashes of the new unit's potential but also highlighted the need for defensive cohesion. These games are less about the final score and more about integrating new stars. Coach Nick Nurse is using this time to experiment with rotations and build chemistry before the games count.
The immediate focus is a high-profile preseason test against the Boston Celtics on October 10. It's a road game that will provide another stern evaluation for the new-look lineup. Facing a conference rival like the Celtics, even in an exhibition, is a valuable measuring stick. The real test begins when the regular season opens in a couple of weeks. While the Spurs, Thunder, and Knicks were ranked ahead of Philadelphia due to better continuity, few rosters can match the Sixers' sheer top-end talent. The challenge is turning that paper strength into consistent wins, especially in the playoffs where the team has struggled to advance past the second round since 2001.
