The Hot Takes: 6 76ers who could get axed from Nick Nurse’s playoff rotation, The Sixers must dodge a disaster scenario if they do not want……

The Philadelphia 76ers are no lock to make the playoffs. Things are tight five through eight in the Eastern Conference with the two teams who finish seventh and eighth headed for the Play-In Tournament. Each franchise hopes to avoid that route, but playing without Joel Embiid could put Philly down there. The Sixers must dodge a disaster scenario if they do not want the hot takes to come out this summer.

They must avoid being eighth and seeing the Celtics in the opening round, which puts a ton of pressure on that opening game. It would be massive to get Embiid back before that contest, but there are no guarantees. The Sixers will be knocked out in the first round if they face Boston, but no team will be eager to face Philly with The Process on the floor.

Head coach Nick Nurse will shorten his rotation in the playoffs. There will be games where only eight players see the floor. Nurse is never afraid to think outside the box. He will experiment, but these Sixers could fall out of the rotation at some point in the playoffs.

6. Mo Bamba

Bamba has stepped into the rotation since Joel Embiid went out with his meniscus injury. The 25-year-old has played in 21 of 22 games and is averaging 3.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 15.7 minutes each night.

Bamba played sparingly when Embiid was healthy, and the reigning MVP is expected to return near the end of the regular season.

Mo Bamba is the 76ers’ third-string big man. He could see minutes if Embiid remains out for the playoffs, but may still get axed from the rotation as Philly goes small in their second unit. The seven-footer is limited offensively and will have trouble staying on the floor in the postseason. Do not expect to see him for anything other than spot minutes as a change of pace from Bamba.

5. K.J. Martin

Martin has largely been in the rotation since Jan. 22. He missed three straight games with an ankle injury in late February, but has otherwise appeared in 24 straight. Over that stretch, the 6’6 forward is averaging 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.0 minutes per game.

The 23-year-old brings some athleticism and youth to their lineup. Martin is the youngest player under guaranteed contract on the Sixers roster but has mostly played because of injuries. Robert Covington has not been on the court since Dec. 30. De’Anthony Melton and Tobias Harris have also joined Joel Embiid on the sidelines. Head coach Nick Nurse is searching for anyone capable of giving them quality minutes right now.

Martin’s minutes have been in flux in recent games. He has played fewer than seven minutes in three of the last nine games, which likely makes him the first player cut from Nurse’s rotation in the playoffs. Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, and Kelly Oubre Jr. will handle the minutes on the wing. Martin could get a shot if the 76ers are struggling but do not expect him to be part of the nightly mix.

K.J. Martin has never appeared in an NBA playoff game. He will get some minutes if the Sixers qualify but do not expect him to play a significant role.

4. Cameron Payne

The 76ers got Payne for Patrick Beverley in the deadline-day trade with the Bucks. Payne has five years of playoff experience, including three straight with the Suns. He was injured for the team’s first four postseason contests last season but played more every game after returning. The 29-year-old is a skilled offensive talent in his prime, but there are defensive questions.

Things are a bit different in Philly. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will be the 76ers primary scorers in the playoffs. Payne will play behind Kyle Lowry. The veteran has been a key addition off the buyout market, but Nick Nurse cannot expect the 38-year-old to play 40 minutes per game in the playoffs. The door is open for Payne to be the lead ball-handler off the bench, but Nurse could go in a different direction.

3. Robert Covington

Covington played in 26 of his first 29 games with the 76ers after being acquired in the James Harden trade. It was a reunion for RoCo, who got his first significant NBA opportunity with the franchise during The Process era. He was playing 16.1 minutes per game this season while spacing the floor and bringing the defense before his knee injury.

Covington has not played since Dec. 30. Updates and specifics about the injury have been difficult to come by, but he has practiced in recent days and could be nearing a return.

The Sixers would love to have him back before the playoffs. Having another 6’7 forward capable of guarding multiple positions and playing a role would be massive, He must get back on the floor quickly if he plans on being part of the nightly rotation in the playoffs.

2. Paul Reed

Reed has appeared in each of the 76ers’ first 68 games this season. The franchise matched the three-year $23.5 million offer sheet he received as a restricted free agent last summer. The 2024-25 campaign is non-guaranteed, but the 24-year-old has locked down the backup center role and is averaging new career highs virtually across the board.

Reed played in the final 29 regular season games last season before averaging 4.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game in the playoffs. He played in all 11 contests but got fewer than nine minutes a night over the final five.

The Sixers have a new head coach and a different roster. Joel Embiid’s health will be a massive factor. Philadelphia cannot afford to ax Reed and play small the entire game no matter which team they draw in the opening round. If the reigning MVP is healthy, the 76ers could go small in the second unit and cut Paul Reed’s minutes down to zero.

1. De’Anthony Melton

Melton was a starter next to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt to begin the season. He averaged 11.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 steals in 29.1 minutes per game over 33 starts. The 25-year-old shot just 39.3 percent from the field, but his strong defense helped the Sixers go 22-11 in those contests.

Melton has played in just three games since Jan. 12. The back injury started in early January and cost him 21 of 24 contests. He returned for three more games in late February before missing the last ten. The injury is problematic and may plague Melton for the remainder of the season. He is out with no timetable for his return.

The 76ers cannot count on him for the playoffs. Melton will have played six games in three-plus months before he is back on the court. He has not been on the floor for more than 30 minutes in a game since Dec. 29th. Head coach Nick Nurse will have to ease him back in if he can get on the floor at all.

The Philadelphia 76ers have depth and top-end talent if they are healthy. That is no guarantee given how their season has gone. They hope multiple players return from injury and are ready for the playoffs. If so, the Sixers are a tough opponent, and coach Nurse will be ready. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.