The Philadelphia 76ers are walking a tightrope. Their foundation once looked sturdy, but cracks are showing everywhere. Joel Embiid is still recovering from knee surgery and might miss the start of the season. Paul George just had a procedure, too. Chemistry issues and leadership changes have caused unease within the organization. Daryl Morey, the man at the center of it all, is now facing a storm of criticism as questions grow about the Sixers’ direction and identity.

But there’s finally a bright spot in Philly’s locker room. Trendon Watford has joined the team, and no one is happier than Tyrese Maxey. “We need a guy like him,” Maxey said, clearly energized by the reunion. The two have been close since their high school days and were roommates during the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game. VJ Edgecombe is also showing good promise in the Summer league so far. Justin Edwards, after proving himself on a two-way deal, inked a three-year deal following a breakout rookie season. But one person has a clear view of the potential problems for the future.

So what does this mean for the Sixers’ future? Kendrick Perkins is not holding back. “When you think about this situation, at one point we were looking at the Philadelphia 76ers, and at one point we saw structure. We saw stability. We saw culture.”

Perkins stressed that ever since Morey stepped in, the organization has “gotten worse.” That’s a strong accusation, but he’s not alone in thinking that things feel off in Philly. And according to Perkins, they are at a crossroads.

Perkins didn’t stop there. He said, “They’re on the clock when it comes down to Tyrese Maxey.” According to him, if the culture and stability don’t improve soon, Maxey could want out. His connection to Rich Paul only adds weight to that possibility. “We know who his agent is, is Rich Paul. And Rich Paul don’t give a damn,” Perkins added, making the warning even louder. He claimed, “They got to get it together right now.” The message is clear: Daryl Morey needs to act before it’s too late.

Trust issues and tension place Tyrese Maxey at the center of Sixers drama

The Philadelphia 76ers did not plan for a 2-11 start. But when it happened, the locker room called for a closed-door meeting. What was supposed to stay behind those walls spilled out fast. The leak revealed that Tyrese Maxey had challenged Joel Embiid about constantly being late and not setting the right tone. That news hitting the public eye caused a ripple, especially for Embiid, who saw the leak as a betrayal.

Embiid’s response was fiery and emotional. He recently told ESPN, “I know who leaked it, but … the past is the past. The one thing I’ll say is, it’s hard being around people that do those sorts of stuff.” His frustration wasn’t just about the leak. It was about the damage it did to the team’s trust, something he values deeply. He made his stance clear. “Once you cross that — you can’t expect me to be part of a team meeting again. That’s just not going to happen.”

The tension didn’t stop there. When asked whether the leaker is still part of the team, Embiid gave a cryptic answer. “There’s a chance they’re still around.” That one line raised eyebrows, fueling speculation and stirring up more distrust inside an already delicate locker room. For coach Nick Nurse, managing these internal wounds is now part of the job. Especially if the alleged leak involves someone as central as Maxey.

As the new season approaches, the stakes could not be higher. Between Embiid’s ongoing issues with management and now a fractured locker room, the Sixers need healing. Embiid’s injuries are already raising a lot of questions about his future. Maxey may be viewed as the future, but this recent storm reminds everyone that leadership can come with complications. And if trust continues to break down, the Sixers might lose more than just games.