The Philadelphia 76ers are undefeated, but that hasn’t stopped DeMarcus Cousins from dropping a thought-provoking claim about the direction of the team. After Philadelphia’s third straight win to open the season, Cousins hinted that the front office might already be entertaining the idea of moving on from Joel Embiid.
Philadelphia’s 3-0 start marks their best opening stretch in six years, 76ers Round Table reports. Monday night’s win over the Orlando Magic stood out for one key reason: they did it without Embiid. Tyrese Maxey erupted for 43 points and eight assists in that game, marking his second 40-point performance in just three outings. He became the first player in franchise history to hit that mark twice within the opening week.
Head coach Nick Nurse praised the all-around effort, noting how balanced the team looked without its superstar. “We needed every bit of everybody that hit the floor,” Nurse said. “You look down [at the box score] and you say, ‘Who didn’t help us tonight?’ You couldn’t say anybody didn’t help us tonight.”
Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe continued to impress as well, averaging 25 points through his first few games while shooting efficiently from all areas of the floor. “I’m a student of the game,” Edgecombe said. “I watch a lot of basketball, a lot of film, especially when I’m playing with great players like Tyrese and Joel, ESPN reports. I know where the shots are going to come from, and I’ve been able to capitalize on that.”
Cousins Hints at Major Front Office Discussions
On Run It Back show, Cousins took the conversation in a different direction. The former All-Star big man speculated that Philadelphia’s front office might already be having internal talks about what a future without Embiid could look like. He added it was a completely valid question to ask about trading the big man.
“I’m pretty sure the front office is having talks about it, what it looks like, what the possibility is, and if they should consider closing this door moving forward,” Cousins said.
The statement caught attention because of its timing. Embiid hasn’t played poorly, nor has there been public tension between him and the organization. But Cousins’ remarks raise the question of whether the Sixers’ early chemistry without their MVP center could influence long-term planning.
A year ago, the Sixers were fighting through one of the most turbulent stretches in franchise history, clinging to a lottery-protected draft pick. That pick turned into Edgecombe, whose energy and consistency have helped redefine the team’s rhythm. Combined with Maxey’s breakout, the Sixers look faster, freer, and more unified than they’ve been in years.
A Subtle Shift in Philadelphia’s Identity
Cousins’ comments resonate because he’s lived through similar team transitions himself. He knows how franchises evaluate timing, health, and chemistry when deciding whether to keep building around a star center. While it’s far too early to imagine a blockbuster trade involving Embiid, Cousins’ insight reflects a legitimate curiosity about the Sixers’ evolving identity.
Philadelphia will get another look at its full roster soon when Joel Embiid returns to face the Wizards. For now, though, the buzz surrounding Maxey and Edgecombe’s growth has injected new optimism into the city. If the Sixers keep winning with this balance, the front office could find itself facing a difficult question sooner than anyone expected — whether the era built around Joel Embiid has already peaked.
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