10 Oldest NBA franchises EVER

Philadelphia 76ers, 1949

Image Courtesy: NBA

The Sixers were established in 1946 by Daniel Biasone as the Syracuse Nationals and were part of the NBL. They joined the NBA as part of the merger in 1949 and enjoyed immediate success. The Nationals made it to 3 NBA Finals in 6 seasons and won the title in 1955 over the Pistons. The following years, however, didn't deliver a whole lot and the team was purchased by Irv Kosloff, who moved the team to Philly in 1963 and named it the 76ers. By 1967, they won the championship again, led by Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt would, however, leave the following year and it began a downward spiral till the mid-70s'. Kosloff then sold the team to Fitz Dixon Jr in 1976, which led to the team's revival.

In the next 6 seasons, the Sixers reached 3 NBA Finals but lost all of them. It was during this time that Harold Katz brought the team and they acquired Moses Malone, who'd help them get over the hump and win the 1982 title. The Sixers would however never reach those heights again. Katz sold the team in 1996 after a forgettable season to Ed Snider. His tenure as owner was largely mediocre apart from one Finals appearance in 2001 and he sold the team to current owner Joshua Harris in 2011. Harris trusted the process, ensuring the worst 3 year stretch in franchise history which finally seems to have reaped its benefits with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. There is hope that the duo can lead Philly to the promised land once again.