The Sixers are coming off a rough season in which they tied the NBA mark for consecutive losses with 26 and matched the third-worst record in franchise history at 19-63.
However, with the reigning Rookie of the Year in Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel slated to return, a slew of draft picks and plenty of cap space, things definitely look bright for the club next season (see story).
Just how bright remains to be seen. But Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil says don't expect to see the young team make the leap into the postseason in 2014-15.
"I don't think so, no," O'Neil said on Thursday's edition of "Philly Sports Talk" when asked whether fans should expect a playoff berth next season. "I think this is a progression. This is a team that will be fun and young and exciting. If you remember kind of those old Golden State Warriors teams, Run TMC, and if you remember those young Clippers teams years ago, I think that's the team you'll see. I think you'll see a team that gets up and down the court, that gets after it on defense. But this is young team."
Despite not seeing an immediate playoff appearance for the Sixers, O'Neil said there is still a lot to get excited about with the team.
"I think the difference between last year and this year and why this is so exciting, you go from a year of deconstruction to a year of construction," he said. "To me, that's fun to be apart of.
"So we're not breaking down and selling off pieces for future draft picks. This is about how do we get this core, this base, this foundation set to build upon, and I think that's pretty exciting."