​In his prime, Tracy McGrady was among the most electrifying talents in the NBA, a comparison some fans might draw to the Philadelphia 76ers’ potential trajectory in 2026. McGrady evolved from a raw, athletic wing into a polished scorer who led the league in scoring on two occasions. He became a household name, earned seven All-Star selections, and earned All-NBA honors seven times. Yet, much like Joel Embiid today, one lingering critique of McGrady’s 16-season career across seven teams is that it did not yield a championship.
Today, McGrady shares his insights as an NBA analyst, and he believes the 76ers possess the core needed to contend for a Finals appearance, provided some conditions align. On the Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady podcast, he expressed optimism about Philadelphia heading to the NBA Finals with a roster rebuilt around Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and the surrounding pieces. Still, he cautioned that reaching their ceiling depends heavily on Embiid’s health.
“It all comes down to Joel,” McGrady said. “VJ’s going to do his thing. Maxey’s going to do his thing. And JB — you’ve got three players who are offensively elite. Defensively, they could be elite together, and it’s just how we roll it out with the big fella. If he’s healthy, I look at them being in the finals. I don’t care what nobody says.”
Indeed, McGrady isn’t shy about acknowledging his own playoff shortcomings. He reached the NBA Finals only once, as a member of Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs in 2013, after having previously played in nine playoff series without a victory. In that year, he even logged limited time in the Spurs’ six games, underscoring the sometimes-peculiar nature of playoff runs. Nevertheless, his career achievements—his Hall of Fame credentials and his enduring impact on the game—remain indisputable, and his perspective carries weight given his long tenure and firsthand experience.
The 76ers clearly recognize that their ultimate success hinges on Embiid’s availability. The last few seasons have shown that his presence dramatically changes Philadelphia’s ceiling, a reality they are all too familiar with. The team remains hopeful that the combination of Tyrese Maxey’s continued growth, Brown’s ongoing development, and the emergence of players like VJ Edgecombe can form a complementary supporting cast that finally helps the organization advance deeper in the postseason.
But McGrady’s caveat remains essential: no matter how strong the supporting cast is, the franchise’s fortunes depend on Embiid’s health and durability. If the big man can stay on the floor, the pieces around him will be better situated to complement a high-level team identity, potentially propelling Philadelphia toward a championship opportunity. Without Embiid at peak effectiveness, even the most promising roster construction risks falling short of its theoretical potential.
In the end, McGrady’s assessment aligns with a recurring theme for the 76ers: their destiny is intricately tied to Embiid’s presence and health. If he plays at a high level and remains available, Philadelphia could be positioned to push deep into the playoffs and contend for a Finals run. If not, the gap between talent and championship glory would remain, despite a roster designed to maximize both offensive proficiency and defensive versatility. As the season unfolds, the big question will be whether Embiid can stay healthy enough to unlock the full potential of a roster that, on paper, looks capable of making a serious championship push.