It has been a bizarre summer time for the Philadelphia 76ers. They landed the third decide within the draft, however their first selection rejected them, and so they additionally misplaced their prime free agent to the rival New York Knicks.
Add in Paul George getting injured and Joel Embiid’s well being, and the 76ers are primed for probably the most 76ers season ever. Darkish instances certainly. Embiid’s future stays unsure as he underwent main offseason surgical procedure to restore his injured knee.
That knee damage was imagined to have been fastened however led to repeated points final season, together with swelling that resulted in him being shut down for the 12 months. His damage points precipitated Sixers beat author Keith Pompeii to recommend that Embiid might not have a lot time left within the NBA.
“Not often do you’ve a man inform you how a lot ache he’s in and the way a lot they’re going by means of.”@PompeyOnSixers tells @TheJaxShow and @DarthAmin he thinks Embiid could possibly be hinting at one thing in his latest ESPN characteristic pic.twitter.com/620n9QQW5k
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 27, 2025
Joel Embiid’s future with the Sixers is up within the air
It is unlikely that he’ll retire contemplating that he has $193 million owed to him over the following three seasons. Nonetheless, if Embiid is out for a very long time, the Sixers have choices.
The Sixers may ask for medical retirement relating to Embiid if he’s anticipated to overlook greater than a whole season. That will permit them to clear his remaining wage, liberating up a minimum of $59 million in cap area a season over the following three years.
They’d nonetheless need to pay him, however his wage would not rely on their cap sheet. In fact, whereas Embiid’s well being is a significant query mark for subsequent season, it is exhausting to anticipate him to by no means play one other NBA recreation.
The Philadelphia 76ers could also be caught with Embiid
That implies that Philly could possibly be caught with him over the following three seasons. That was solely predictable. Actually everybody accustomed to Embiid’s observe document noticed storm clouds on the horizon once they signed him to that max extension.
Even when President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey in some way will get off of Embiid’s contract, he’ll need to carry out one other magic trick with George’s deal. Having not one however two of the worst contracts within the NBA is a disasterclass by the Sixers and will handcuff them going ahead.
Of their protection, they nonetheless have star Tyrese Maxey, in addition to Jared McCain and V.J. Edgecombe. That’s removed from nothing, however the Sixers will basically have twin timelines with these gamers after which their getting older stars in Embiid and George.
All informed, the Sixers have a significant Embiid drawback on their palms. If Pompei’s assertion is true, then the 76ers might quickly need to make a tough Embiid choice that might alter their franchise.
