In an exclusive interview with The Patriot, Kieth Pompey, beat writer for the Sixers and member of the Philadelphia Inquirer, gives his thoughts on the current state of the team.
Pompey graduated from Pitt University and has been working with the Inquirer since 2004, which means he has been covering the team since the days of the process starting in 2014. As he enters his tenth year as the Sixers beat writer, Pompey provides an inside look and what he thinks about the current state of the team.
The Sixers currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference behind the New York Knicks. They’ve been without superstar Joel Embiid for an extended period of time, as he hasn’t suited up since January 30th. Embiid was considered around the league to be the frontrunner for MVP this season and was averaging 35.3 points per game. Since the injury, Philly has struggled to replace his production and has fallen in the Eastern Conference standings. Pompey describes the team as “in a holding pattern” and there is a lot of “unknowing” within the organization because of Embiid’s injury.
“A lot their success is dependent upon Joel Embiid. They are like in a holding pattern, until they realize if Joel Embiid is coming back yet. Once we find out what is going to happen with Joel, we’ll have a better idea of how good this team is going to be,” said Pompey.
A few weeks after Embiid’s injury, the Sixers decided to make some changes at the trade deadline. They acquired sharp-shooter Buddy Hield in a three-team deal with the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs. The team sent Furkan Korkmaz and a 2024 second-round pick to Indiana and Marcus Morris Sr. and cash considerations to San Antonio. The Sixers also sent guard Patrick Beverly to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Cam Payne and traded young defensive playmaker Jaden Springer to the Boston Celtics for a second-round pick. After the dust of the deadline settled, the team picked up veteran guard and Philly native Kyle Lowry who was released by the Charlotte Hornets. When asked about the trade deadline, Pompey said likes the Hield trade and that the sixers intend to keep him long-term. However, he isn’t sure if the Sixers improved over the deadline.
“I think the Buddy Hield Trade is long-term. I like it because it provides a shooter that they need. I’m not 100% sure on Cam Payne right now. Kyle Lowry, I like it from a leadership standpoint. However, I don’t know if the sixers got much better. I feel like Pat Beverly and Marcus Morris provided toughness, and right now I feel like they lost a lot of that. They could get some of it with Kyle Lowry, but you lost two players that were like the heart and soul of the team,” said Pompey.
Since the deadline, the team’s record has been up and down. With much uncertainty surrounding the team, Pompey says that it’s hard to tell what the team’s current goals are. How far they go is determined by Joel Embiid’s availability and their reality has changed because of his injury.
“If Embiid comes back and plays at a high level, I do feel like they want to go ahead and win. But if Embiid doesn’t come back … I still think they want to go far in the playoffs they still want to do stuff, but I think they realize it’s going to be tough for them,” said Pompey.
As far as Joel Embiid’s injury Pompey reports that the reigning MVP should be back within the next two weeks and could return to practice as early as March 1st [Since this interview Joel Embiid is back to doing full-court workouts and is 100% in the weight room]. With the possibility of Embiid coming back the team looks to hold down the fort as they’ve already slid several spots in his absence. As the playoffs approach the team’s fate could solely depend on Embiid.
When Pompey was asked about how he envisions the season ending, he says he sees the Sixers being a bottom seed in the East, or a play-in team if Embiid doesn’t return. However, even if the star center does return Pompey doesn’t envision the team making it past the second round even with Embiid. With how recent post-seasons have ended in Philly, that sounds all too familiar for the Sixers.
Looking at the future of the Sixers and their offseason plans, Pompey says the team could look to potentially add a third star to play alongside all-stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. He says the team is looking at adding an elite 3&D wing type player, someone who can be a difference maker on both sides of the ball. As some potential names mentioned Pompey says he’s heard L.A. Clippers all-star Paul George being mentioned as an offseason target, but that an acquisition like that could cause the team to make some tough decisions.
“I mean the one guy they keep talking about, they keep talking about Paul George. His name keeps popping up. I don’t know if they can get him, but they do need another perimeter player. Now you look at Buddy Hield he could be someone they would like to sign long-term, but I think that they need another piece. I think Tobias will be a fallback but to me it seems the guy that would make the most sense for them would be a Paul George type of guy. He plays defense, he also thrives as that third star type of guy so to speak with the Clippers. I don’t know if he’s going to leave LA but that’s the type of guy they want,” said Pompey.
However, many of the team’s future decisions will rest on the team’s result at the end of this year. With Embiid’s injury being a major factor in what that outcome might be, it’s tough to tell how the season might end. Needless to say, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team. But, with a third star potentially on the way, perhaps we see the Sixers go all-in on a championship run this offseason.
