Things are turning around. They're really turning around. At least Vegas thinks they are.
Still, the Sixers very likely aren't going to win the NBA championship next season. Go ahead and give yourself a moment to get over the shock of reading that.
OK, good?
Good.
After winning 28 games this past season, there's at least some promise. Joel Embiid looks like the real deal if he can stay healthy. Dario Saric finally came to the states and turned out to be pretty good. Then there's Ben Simmons, who is actually supposed to play next season. And the Sixers, thanks to the pick swap with the Kings, own the third pick in the upcoming draft.
All of that probably isn't enough to win a championship, but they're getting closer.
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According to Bovada, the Sixers' odds to win the next NBA championship are 100/1. No, that's not very good, but seven teams actually have longer odds than the Sixers, who have been toward the bottom of the standings since Sam Hinkie brought The Process to Philly.
Here are the seven teams with longer odds to win it all next year than the Sixers: Hawks (200/1), Hornets (300/1), Pistons (300/1), Nets (500/1), Magic (500/1), Suns (500/1), Kings (500/1).
The Sixers are one of 12 teams with 100/1 odds, along with the Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers, Lakers, Heat, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks, Blazers and Jazz. After years at the bottom of the pile, it's kind of nice for the Sixers to be a part of the pack.
It should be no surprise that the Golden State Warriors are already listed as the favorites (at 2/3) to win next year's championship. They're followed by the Cavaliers (3/1), Celtics (12/1) and Spurs (12/1).
