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JJ Redick Predicts 76ers Shake Up Core Without ECF Appearance

JJ Redick believes core changes would come if the 76ers don't reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

With the 2023 NBA Playoffs around the corner, the Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for their sixth-straight run. Considering the Sixers have failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals in each of their last six runs, there is a lot of pressure for the current squad to get over the hump.

Some might put heavy expectations on the Sixers, considering them a “championship or bust” squad. To former Sixers sharpshooter JJ Redick, the Sixers could realistcally make some significant changes if the team doesn’t reach Eastern Conference Finals once again.

Here’s what the former player-turned-analyst said on ESPN Tuesday morning regarding the Sixers:

“I totally agree with you that this will be an inflection point, this playoff run, this offseason in the with the Philadelphia 76ers because of the things you just mentioned. Doc Rivers, he's one of a few coaches that has blown a three-one series lead in the NBA. He's the only one to do it multiple times. He's done it three three times. There's been points in time in James Harden's career, he's certainly had some great series where he has gone away the last couple games and not played to his standard. And Joel Embiid, his injuries that you brought up, like all these things, if they don't get to at least the Conference Finals, I think there's going to probably be some changes. This won't be the same core group of people that come back next year in Philly if they don't reach the Conference Finals.”

You could argue that this year’s Sixers is the most championship-ready team since Philadelphia dropped its Game 7 matchup against the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors, in 2019. With Joel Embiid in the MVP conversation for the third-straight year and James Harden maintaining his status as one of the league’s best guards, the Sixers certainly don’t lack star power.

Beyond the stars, the Sixers have an emerging star in Tyrese Maxey, a consistently reliable shooter in Tobias Harris, and a championship-winning forward in PJ Tucker, who has proven to be a difference-maker on the floor in the postseason for his past teams.

The Sixers have the tools to make a notable run in the East this season, but they have to put it all together and prevent making the same mistakes of the past. If Philadelphia finds similar results, then Redick expects the Sixers to make some notable changes.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.