Philadelphia 76ers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

5. Depleted Eastern Conference

If there wasn’t already a large enough discrepancy between the Eastern and Western Conference, this offseason has only exacerbated it. The Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, all members of the playoffs last season, each lost their signature player to a Western Conference outfit. The departures of Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and Paul Millsap has thrown the race to the postseason in the East wide open.

Furthermore, there are some other teams presently under a great deal of uncertainty as we get closer to the start of training camp. Kyrie Irving‘s demand to be traded from NBA Finalist Cleveland Cavaliers has thrown a wrench in their preparations, and a great deal of uncertainty as to who may obtain his services.

Also, there is the never-ending saga surrounding the future of Carmelo Anthony with the New York Knicks. As Anthony’s contract contains a no-trade clause, the Knicks’ hands are severely tied in terms of what they can retrieve for the All-Star forward. With Anthony’s reported preferred destination being the Houston Rockets, this could represent the fourth All-Star transferring from the East to the West in a matter of months.

Thanks to the departure of the trio listed above, the Pacers, Bulls, and Hawks are all likely to take a severe hit in the standings. Thus, with three playoff competing teams from last season likely to slide, the Sixers are certainly one of a number of sides team primed to be in a great spot for a run at postseason action.