RealGM Basketball Wiretap

21 October 2025

• Sixers Waive DeAndre Baldwin, MarJon Beauchamp, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill, Saint Thomas

  The Philadelphia 76ers waived MarJon Beauchamp, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill and Saint Thomas. The Sixers also signed-and-waived DeAndre Baldwin. All five players are expected to join the Delaware Blue Coats for the upcoming G League season.

  The 76ers roster is now set for the regular season. Philadelphia has 14 players on standard contracts and three players on two-way deal. The Sixers are carrying an open roster spot into the regular season.

• Joel Embiid 'In Good Space Mentally, Physically'' In 14/7/8 Preseason Return

  Joel Embiid played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers in nearly eight months Friday, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in the team's 126-110 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Embiid remained on track to participate in next week's season opener at the Boston Celtics barring any setbacks. Embiid moved well on the court and appeared to have shed the bulky brace that frustrated him throughout last season.

  "I don't want to really think about the past," Embiid said. "I'm just in a good space mentally, physically. I'm just happy to touch the basketball and be able to play basketball and do what I love."

  Embiid last played on February 22 against Brooklyn before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee weeks later. He sat out the entire 2024-25 season's second half and played just 19 games total last year.

  Tyrese Maxey contributed 27 points in 30 minutes, reflecting the 76ers' overall offensive efficiency in the tuneup. The first-year performance from No. 3 draft pick VJ Edgecombe highlighted the team's depth, with the guard posting 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals in 34 minutes.

  Edgecombe's athleticism and playmaking reaffirmed Nurse's decision to slot him into the starting five for opening night. Quentin Grimes, meanwhile, made his preseason debut after signing an $8.7 million qualifying offer and posted 22 points with 5 assists off the bench.

  Paul George remained sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from July knee surgery. While George has participated in practices this week, he still must clear additional steps before returning to game action.

  "Pretty good," Nurse said of Embiid's overall performance. "I thought he moved good, played good, shot it good, passed it good. I didn't see too many negatives out there."

  "I mean, I won't say I feel like I was 18 years old again," Embiid said with a smile, when asked if he felt like the past few weeks have gone as well as could be expected in his ramp-up to the season. "That's never going to happen. But I'm just taking it day by day. Like I said, just learning. Some days are going to be good, some days I'm going to be a little bit tight, so learn from it and adjust and keep doing the right things."

• Sixers Won't Change Basketball Operations Following Bob Myers Hire For HBSE

  Bob Myers is exiting his role as a basketball analyst for ESPN to become president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Myers was already working as a consultant to Josh Harris and helped assemble the leadership team of the Washington Commanders.

  HBSE's portfolio includes the Philadelphia 76ers, the Commanders, the New Jersey Devils, as well as Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.

  The exiting structures of the HBSE teams will continue to operate in their current form. Daryl Morey has run the Sixers since 2020.

  Myers will remain based in California, but will travel regularly to HBSE/Commanders properties and events.

  "Our goal has been to hire, grow, and retain the best and brightest executives in the world and we are a stronger, more dynamic organization with the addition of Bob Myers," Harris and David Blitzer said. "His experience as an architect of championship teams will complement our existing leadership structure, while also allowing HBSE to maximize opportunities across our portfolio. We're excited to have Bob continue his storied career here at HBSE."

  Myers spent the first 14 years of his career as a sports agent before beginning his fromt office role with the Golden State Warriors. Myers helped assemble the rosters with the Warriors that won titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Myers left the Warriors when his contract expired in 2023.

  "I have been fortunate to know Josh and David for a long time, and I've always greatly admired them and respected how they've built such an impressive global sports portfolio," Myers said. "This role was intriguing because it provides the opportunity to work with some of the industry's most talented leaders and executives across the world's biggest sports leagues.

  "By leveraging HBSE's global presence in sports, we can create competitive advantages for our athletes and teams that enhance our ability to win. This is the type of challenge and opportunity I was looking for, and I'm grateful to Josh and David for the chance to be a part of HBSE."

  Myers added: "I also want to thank Bob Iger, Jimmy Pitaro, and my colleagues at ESPN for an incredible experience during my time there and for their support as I pursue the next chapter of my career."

• Joel Embiid Unlikely To Play Back-To-Back Games This Season

  Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is healthy and ready to play entering the regular season. That's a status the Sixers hope to keep all year. One of the ways Philadelphia is hoping to keep Embiid on the floor is by holding him out of one end of back-to-back games this season.

  The 76ers are scheduled to play 16 back-to-back games. That would mean Embiid would be limited to playing no more than 66 games, assuming he's healthy for the remainder of the schedule.

• Paul George Expected To Miss Opening Night, Making 'Significant Progress' In Knee Rehab

  Paul George is expected to miss opening night for the Philadelphia 76ers as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

  George is making "significant progress" to returning to the court, but still needs to hit certain "checkmarks" before he is eligible to return.

  George is expected to make his season debut "shortly" into the regular season.

  George, who played just 41 games last season, underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in July.

• NBA Team Valuations Reach $5.51 Billion Average, Up 20 Percent From 2024

  The average NBA team is now worth $5.51 billion, up 20 percent year-over-year and 113 percent since 2022, according to Sportico's calculations. The collective value of all 30 franchises reached $165 billion, driven by a landmark $76 billion media rights agreement and strategic arena investments.

  Rick Welts, newly appointed Dallas Mavericks CEO, called the current moment unprecedented for league growth.

  "Never had a moment like this where you could be as optimistic as I am," Welts said in a video interview. "A lot of people are in this league, from an international perspective, from a media perspective, and I really feel like we have the best ahead of us."

  The Golden State Warriors maintained their five-year reign as the NBA's most valuable franchise at $11.33 billion, second globally only to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys at $12.8 billion. The Los Angeles Lakers jumped to second place at $10 billion after Mark Walter's pending acquisition at 16 times revenue, surpassing the New York Knicks at $9.85 billion. The average value-to-revenue multiple for the NBA is 13.5, ahead of the WNBA at 12.0, the NFL at 10.3 and MLS at 9.4.

  The Warriors' dominance stems from arena ownership, sponsorship revenue nearly double any other team, and their WNBA affiliate, the Golden State Valkyries, valued at $500 million. The Valkyries made history as the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season.

  The new media contract with Amazon, ESPN/ABC and NBC raises each team's annual television revenue from $103 million to $143 million, with seven-percent annual increases through 2036. The "get-in" price for franchise ownership-represented by the Memphis Grizzlies at $4 billion-has jumped 2.5 times since 2022, when it stood at $1.63 billion.

  Recent high-profile sales drove valuations across the board. The Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion in March, while the Lakers' pending deal at $10 billion set a new record for control sales in sports history. The Portland Trail Blazers agreement at $4.25 billion followed in August.

  The NBA is pursuing expansion in Europe in partnership with FIBA, potentially launching 16 teams with a fall 2027 tipoff. The league also plans to develop a Basketball Africa League with 12 teams and dedicated home arenas. Welts emphasized international opportunities as transformational for league economics.

  "The international opportunity is multiple of what the domestic U.S. sports market is," Welts said. "The technology will allow anybody, anywhere in the world to consume any NBA game."

  New arenas are under construction in Oklahoma City ($900 million, opening 2028) and Philadelphia (2030), with the Dallas Mavericks scouting sites following 24 years at the shared American Airlines Center.

  2025 NBA Team Valuations

  Rank	Team	2025 Valuation	1-Year Change
  1	Golden State Warriors	$11.33B	+24%
  2	Los Angeles Lakers	$10B	+24%
  3	New York Knicks	$9.85B	+19%
  4	Los Angeles Clippers	$6.72B	+18%
  5	Boston Celtics	$6.35B	+12%
  6	Brooklyn Nets	$6.22B	+9%
  7	Chicago Bulls	$6.12B	+10%
  8	Miami Heat	$6.03B	+21%
  9	Philadelphia 76ers	$5.61B	+23%
  10	Houston Rockets	$5.53B	+16%
  11	Dallas Mavericks	$5.24B	+17%
  12	Toronto Raptors	$5.22B	+12%
  13	Phoenix Suns	$5.09B	+18%
  14	Atlanta Hawks	$5.02B	+23%
  15	Sacramento Kings	$5B	+22%
  16	Cleveland Cavaliers	$4.86B	+23%
  17	Denver Nuggets	$4.8B	+18%
  18	Washington Wizards	$4.78B	+20%
  19	Indiana Pacers	$4.76B	+27%
  20	Milwaukee Bucks	$4.54B	+16%
  21	San Antonio Spurs	$4.5B	+19%
  22	Oklahoma City Thunder	$4.34B	+22%
  23	Utah Jazz	$4.27B	+16%
  24	Portland Trail Blazers	$4.25B	+18%
  25	Minnesota Timberwolves	$4.24B	+29%
  26	Orlando Magic	$4.21B	+22%
  27	Detroit Pistons	$4.17B	+21%
  28	Charlotte Hornets	$4.13B	+22%
  29	New Orleans Pelicans	$4.02B	+30%
  30	Memphis Grizzlies	$4B	+31%

• Sixers Sign MarJon Beauchamp, Waive Emoni Bates

  The Philadelphia 76ers have signed MarJon Beauchamp. In a related move, Philadelphia has requested waivers on Emoni Bates.
  
  Originally drafted by Milwaukee with the 24th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Beauchamp has produced 4.1 points on 43.0-percent shooting, 1.9 rebounds, and 10.9 minutes in 135 career games (12 starts) over three NBA seasons with the Bucks, the LA Clippers, and New York Knicks.
  
  Prior to being drafted, the Washington native played 24 games for the NBA G League Ignite, where he held averages of 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 24.6 minutes per game.

• Sixers Hire Scott Layden As Scout

  The Philadelphia 76ers hired Scott Layden as a scout, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Layden most recently worked as a scout for the Kings.

  Layden was also previously the general manager for the Wolves and Knicks, as well as an assistant general manager with the Spurs.

• Joel Embiid Has 'Some Chance' To Play In Final Preseason Game

  Joel Embiid has "some chance" of appearing in the Philadelphia 76ers' final preseason game on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to head coach Nick Nurse.

  "I don't think we're there yet; it's a little early in the week to decide," Nurse said. "It still could go either way. I think we've got some thresholds to get over yet before we get to that point."

  Nurse did not mention whether Embiid would play in the Sixers' season-opener against the Celtics on October 22.

  Embiid played in an intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday and partially participated during Tuesday's practice.

  Embiid has not appeared on the court since last February.

• Sources Detail Joel Embiid's Isolation, Distrust Within 76ers Organization Last Season

  The Philadelphia 76ers are projecting optimism entering training camp, but sources close to the organization reveal deep-seated dysfunction centered around Joel Embiid during last season's 24-58 collapse. Former staffers and player associates describe an environment plagued by mistrust and communication breakdowns, according to The Ringer.

  "The organization was built around one guy who doesn't trust anyone and mostly keeps to himself," one former Sixers staffer said. When Embiid appeared in just 19 games last season, that isolation created organizational chaos.

  Embiid's refusal to communicate about his injury status extended beyond the public to internal stakeholders. Players frequently arrived at work unaware whether their star would suit up. Coaches often learned Embiid's status during pregame warmups, sometimes less than an hour before tipoff.

  "With Joel, even if there is a plan in place, you can't say anything about it," a second former team staffer said.

  Tension escalated after a November players-only meeting was leaked to ESPN's Shams Charania, with grievances directed at Embiid becoming public. The breach damaged locker room trust and appeared to affect Embiid most significantly.

  "People left that night feeling like they had turned a corner. Everyone promised to keep the details in-house. And then they wake up and all the details are out," a person close to a player said.

  "It all created an environment of dysfunction," said an associate of a Sixers player.

  President Daryl Morey conducted extensive offseason evaluations, resulting in personnel changes across coaching, medical, and support staff. Morey emphasized injecting youth into the roster after recognizing his mistakes building the supporting cast with veterans.

  "We realize we're in the 'prove-it' phase," Morey said at media day. "I don't think it really matters what we're saying up here on our expectations at this point."

  The Sixers enter camp with 69 percent of their salary cap committed to Embiid and Paul George, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in July. George has not provided a return timetable and said he's not ready to "start the full ramp-up."

  Tyrese Maxey has assumed a leadership role, organizing offseason workouts and emphasizing consistency regardless of personnel availability. Second-year guard Jared McCain will miss four to six weeks after tearing a ligament in his right thumb during practice.