Following on from an underwhelming 14-20 season that saw the Blue Coats settle for the 13th seed in the NBA G League’s Eastern Conference, Delaware’s basketball faithful will be hoping that the 2025/26 season will yield a much-needed improvement as they aim to stage a bounce back campaign and bring the back to the stellar heights that the team experienced back in 2023.
Despite winning their first championship in team history in 2023 and a playoff berth the following season, the Delaware Blue Coats were immediately shot down with a below .500 record in 2025 which in turn ended a four-season streak of playoff appearances.
It certainly was an unexpected fall off for one of the G League’s more consistent teams in recent years but this sudden downpour of disappointing results has certainly not deterred the passionate fanbase that remain optimistic that next season could be an instant return to form.
The franchise has had its fair share of changes and drawbacks over the years as the Blue Coats originally resided in Utah and were known as the Flash with their NBA affiliations being the Jazz, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
However, in 2013 the Philadelphia 76ers took over as the affiliated team and would immediately relocate the squad to Delaware which is where the franchise has resided ever since.
Due to their affiliation with one of the league’s most popular and respected franchises, as well as the city of Delaware not harboring any major sports teams, the locals have taken an incredible likening to their G League representatives which was then intensified when the Blue Coats won their first league title in 2023.
With their fanbase still rallying behind their talented core and promising roster, there remains hope that last season’s struggles can be placed in the rear view and the team can return to their best with an improved 2025/26 season.
- How can the Blue Coats improve from last season?
While the Blue Coats may not be entering the 2025/26 season as many punters choice to win the title when viewing the latest G League betting odds, there are certainly some fundamental issues that the team must address which could certainly help turn the tide of last season’s struggles.
Based on stats from last season, the Blue Coats were one of the lowest ranked teams across the league in a variety of major metrics, which included 23rd in points per game, 22nd in Offensive rating, 28th in assists per game and 31st in Rebounds per game, which clearly states that Delaware’s offensive display were way under par as well as a severe lack of hustle and dominance when pulling in boards leading to numerous second chance baskets for opponents.
A clear issue that was brought about was the team’s severe lack of size and depth at Center as 6’9’ Alex Reese from Alabama was the only true big man in the rotation which explains why Delaware struggled so much when it comes to attaining a dominant force in the paint over a consistent period throughout matchups.
Former NBA All-Star and current General Manager, Jameer Nelson, will be under pressure to assure coaching staff that additions will be made at the five which could likely be made with additions from the Sixers upcoming Summer League roster as well as any future moves in the offseason.
Delaware would also lose star small forward Marcus Bagley who was called up to the Sixers starting roster after Philly endured their own misery compiling season with injuries to superstar players such as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, with these active openings on the roster slots allowing numerous Blue Coats players to move to the NBA for a short while or even on a permanent basis.
The Blue Coats will also need to improve in the playmaking department as it was obvious that they struggled to create chances for others with the rock and would often aim to play iso ball which is dubiously represented in their woeful assists numbers as a squad.
While there are plenty of noticeable draw backs from the Blue Coats play throughout last season, they are still a team that can find space to attempt field goals as well as being improved in defensive numbers and fairly average at shooting three pointers.
Much like many other teams that experience success at the G League level, the Blue Coats are in the midst of a period of transition given the Sixers recent woes which has had a detrimental effect on their affiliated team’s form and roster depth.
There appears to be plenty of confidence from the front office that head coach Coby Karl can lead this team back to the promised lands and with some extra additions in free agency, Delaware can return back to their best and become the prominent force that they were only two years ago.
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