8. Philadelphia 76ers
This is probably where we arrive at the first surprising ranking of this list. I predict that the Philadelphia 76ers are going to struggle mightily this season. James Harden has completely blown up the Sixers’ season by demanding a trade and there are already whispers that Joel Embiid could soon follow shortly after. At least for now, the hope is that Philadelphia can salvage the Embiid relationship. There’s no guarantee of that, but having a good season even without Harden would go a long way in accomplishing that. I just don’t believe that’s all that realistic.
The Sixers aren’t likely to be lottery-bad this season, but I do think this entire situation is something that’s going to hang over the team’s head for the entire year. With Tyrese Maxey and Embiid, the Sixers should be competitive in the East. But it’s just such a good conference where I think the Sixers’ baggage isn’t eventually going to catch up with them.
I think there’s a very real chance that the Sixers end up having to play their way into a postseason berth. I think predicting the Sixers to finish anywhere between the 6-8 seed in the East is fair.