The Philadelphia 76ers have trusted the process and there is increased optimism that it will finally pay dividends next season.

After drafting exciting young point guard Markelle Fultz with the number one overall pick, the Sixers now have one of the most talented young teams in the league.

With last year's number one pick Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid expected to be healthy to begin the new campaign, 76ers fans are right to look forward to what's ahead.

Along with the promising young core, the franchise has made some smart moves in free agency by bringing in sharpshooter J.J. Redick and veteran big man Amir Johnson.

Redick's presence, in particular, will have a huge impact on the team with his ability to space the floor and hit the three-ball.

Ambitions of making the playoffs next season are not too far-fetched for the Sixers and if they can keep their young stars healthy and build chemistry and consistency on the floor, it's definitely possible.

A postseason berth is certainly what Philly legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley expects from the team.

The Hall of Famer is known to make bold claims, but this one doesn't sound so crazy.

"If (Joel) Embiid is healthy and (Ben) Simmons is healthy, I think they’re definitely gonna make the playoffs," Barkley said.

"Obviously the injury thing has really hurt them the last couple years. But if those two guys are healthy, I think both of them are terrific players. Now you've got (Markelle) Fultz, you've got J.J. (Redick). They've done some good things with the guys coming off the bench. (Dario) Saric was fantastic last year.

"If they don't make the playoffs, I'd totally be shocked."

Barkley clearly has high hopes for the 76ers and he may be right to do so.

With Jimmy Butler and Paul George leaving the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers respectively, it's likely to open up multiple playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and the Sixers are among the teams who could take advantage.

But a big part of the team's hopes next year will depend on how Fultz and Simmons coexist on the floor.

Washington product Fultz is likely to be the team's starting point guard but the 6'10" Australian Simmons loves to the handle the ball and has said he will be playing the point.

"One or the other is probably going to have to defer a little bit because they both want the ball," Barkley said of the duo.

"They’re both dominant guys with the ball. I think coach (Brett) Brown is gonna have to really talk to them about that. That could be an interesting dynamic of their team because they're both ball-dominant guys and they both will probably have to sacrifice a little bit in that area."

With all the issues the franchise has had in recent years, this can be considered a good problem for their head coach to be faced with.

Multiple options on the court can only be beneficial for the team and there are definitely better times ahead.