There are many paths to success in the NBA, but the most appealing and flashy strategy is to acquire multiple superstar players and form a “super team.” It is a proposal that usually has a sense of urgency created by the fusion of age and contract status.
Historically, super teams are hits or misses. Examples of success include the Miami Heat back-to-back championship in 2011-12 and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosch in 2012-13. The failed superstar combinations are abundant, especially the confluence of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden of the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets.
The current NBA collective bargaining agreement introduces a second salary cap cap apron, further limiting the team’s ability to build a roster. But we haven’t seen a complete elimination of the super team. Now, when a restricted free agent wants to sign with another team, he and the new team sign an offer sheet. The terms of that transaction must be at least two seasons – is given to the player’s original team.
If the teams match, the player has signed with the original team, but is the main condition of the offer sheet. If a team passes the match within two days, the player has signed the new team.
A way around these requirements is a midseason deal that allows teams to run omitted to the championship via superstar player rentals. What is the cost to use that tack? Loss of potential future stars and draft topics that teams can build or rebuild from within.
The 2024-25 season began with three super teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns and (slightly) the Los Angeles Clippers.
Of that trio, the Clippers are the only team at this writing to have a 40-30 victory record in the West, seventh place. Phoenix (34-37) currently occupies the final spot in the West Play-in Tournament thanks to three consecutive victories, but Philadelphia (23-47 in the East, 13th place) has lost eight of his last 10 games and lost his postseason pace.
Let’s look at these three teams and analyze why things aren’t going well, from the worst to the best.
76ers
Philadelphia added free agent Paul George in the offseason to enhance center Joel Embiid and All-Star Guard Ty Maxie, but injuries rarely allowed three players to be in court at the same time.
After playing in just 39 games between 2023-24, the 31-year-old Embiid was closed at the end of February due to “continued problems with his left knee.” He averaged at least 30 points this year, averaging 23.8 points after winning two scoring titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
After leaving the Clippers to sign a four-year, $212 million free agent contract, George was closed on March 17th due to internal and external muscle and knee issues. He played 41 games this season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists. This is the fifth time in six seasons. George plays less than 60 games.
Maxey hasn’t played since March 3rd when he’s returned from back and finger tension. He has missed 10 games since then, and the 76ers have dropped eight of these contests.
The 76ers were 7-8 this season when Embiid, George and Maxey started together.
“I don’t think anyone would imagine it would turn out like this.” Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s a shame on many levels.”
solar
March 21st, 2025. Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots Cleveland Cavaliers forward De Andre Hunter (12) late at the Footprint Center. Required Credit: Joe CamporeAle-Imagn Image The offensive firepower of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beale was thought to be able to overwhelm Western teams, but the trio has been affected by injuries bugs and lack of chemistry.
Worse, Phoenix tried to trade 36-year-old Durant at the deadline without the superstar asking for it. Even if Durant puts it together, creates a postseason and finds a way to create noise there, don’t expect Durant to return to the sun.
“We expect a lot from ourselves individually, and that’s not how we want it to,” Durant said. “It was a shame to see us play this way, we have to think about the day before us.
The three players gathered before the 2023-24 season after the Suns took Denver to six games in the Western Conference semi-finals last year. Phoenix finished sixth in the West last year, and was dominated by Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.
Phoenix is the second-highest salary for an American sports team at $408.9 million, and the team gets something that’s not the amount.
Clippers
March 16, 2025. Inglewood, California, USA. La Clippers Guard James Harden (1) responds to Charlotte Hornets later in Intuit Dome. Required Credit: Jonathan Hui-Immagn Image Harden’s Clippers fusion with Kawi Leonard and budding superstar Norman Powell will have the opportunity to make waves in the postseason.
Harden averages 29.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists in his last nine games as the Clippers have scored their last five outings.
Leonard’s numbers (19.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists in 27 games) are production of complementary players rather than stars, but it’s stupid to discount him when the game or season is on the line.
Powell leads the team by scoring with 23 points per contest, despite playing only 49 games. He returned from a five-game absence on March 16th, but tweaked his hamstrings.
Force Powell to be fully involved will be a key element and postseason for Los Angeles in the final three weeks of the regular season.
