By: Brandon Apter, managing editor 
The Sixers concluded their 2015-16 season with their 72nd loss on Wednesday night in Chicago. At 10-72, they finished with one more win then the 1972-73 Sixers. Over the past three seasons, they've posted a 47-199 record, which is second-worst in NBA history behind the 1991-1994 Dallas Mavericks, who went 46-200. Through all of the losing though, there has been hope for the future. Whether it be through Nerlens Noel's defensive presence, Jahlil Okafor's offensive post abilities or even the improved three-point shooting of guys like Hollis Thompson and Nik Stauskas, there have been a handful of bright spots over the past few years. Make no mistake though, this offseason is the penultimate one for this process, with up to four first rounders coming the Sixers way along with Joel Embiid and Dario Saric potentially taking an NBA court for the first time.
On Thursday afternoon, Brett Brown met with the media for the his end-of-the-season press conference and on the docket, of course, was the status of three big men. First up, Dario Saric. When the team traded for his rights in the 2014 draft, they knew Saric would spend at least two seasons overseas, playing basketball with European League powerhouse, Anadolu Efes. This season, there was a ton of progression his game and Brett Brown envisions him as an extremely versatile player along the lines of a Boris Diaw or Draymond Green.
In addition to wanting Saric to work on his three-point game, Brown summarized his take on him this season as, “Shooting, stretch-the-court threes, improved free throws, continued toughness, continued ability to pass, continued ability to rebound and lead a break. But it’s wrapped up in a more refined player, especially shooting.”
“Watch the last six minutes of NBA playoffs and look who’s on the floor,” Brown said. “It’s people like him. It’s do-alls.” [CSNPhilly.com]
Although it has been reported Saric plans to join the Sixers this upcoming season, staying overseas for another year would remove him from the NBA's rookie pay scale. His improvement this year have shown in his numbers. Saric's field goal percentage went up from 43.3 percent to 50 percent and his three-point shooting took a jump from 30.6 percent to 40.3 percent. In 22.5 minutes per game, Saric is averaging 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. That equals out to 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per 36 minutes.
On to Joel Embiid. After two foot surgeries, the Sixers 2013 first round selection has made a ton of progress in rehab this past year, though it is still unknown whether or not he'll suit up for summer league play. Embiid has made two successful trips to one of the best training facilities in the world while also stepping up his rehab on the court to more drills that involve intense footwork.
"We're still monitoring how far along he is with his injury," said Brown during his 30-minute end-of-season media availability. "I feel like as a staff (when we learn more from) the medical staff, we'll be able to make a stronger comment then."
Brown said Embiid, who has been progressing with his on-court workouts since returning from his second trip to Qatar, is "most definitely on track with what we've been doing, physically." [Bucks County Courier Times]
Meanwhile, Sixers rookie center Jahlil Okafor had surgery to repair a small tear in his right meniscus is still about a month away from resuming basketball activities. Tom Moore of Calkins media reports in his piece for the Bucks County Courier Times that Okafor plans to take classes at Duke over the summer.
Okafor, who underwent surgery March 22 to repair a partially torn right meniscus, is about a month away from returning to the court, according to Brown.
Okafor will take classes at Duke this summer. He went to school there for one year before being the No. 3 overall pick in last June's draft. [Bucks County Courier Times]
This offseason, like we said earlier, is an extremely important one for the Sixers with up to four potential first round picks, Dario Saric, Joel Embiid and $60 million in cap space.
As Brett Brown said in his final media session to end the season, "Well, this is pretty damn exciting."
