The 76ers replaced Brett Brown[1] with former Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers on October 3.
[2] In the shortened season (72 games instead of the normal 82) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 76ers finished the regular season at 49–23 which was first place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets.
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Sixers defeated the Washington Wizards in five games.
[4] However, with the 76ers resuming their prior season in the 2020 NBA Bubble, it left them chances to lose or gain ground for this draft period.
They also gained four second-round selections for this draft, including their own pick at #49, through trades involving the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks, and the Orlando Magic via the Los Angeles Lakers.