The 76ers’ nightmare season just got worse. Joel Embiid’s knee is reportedly in “bad” shape, raising serious questions about the team’s future after their disastrous 24-58 record last year.
It was the franchise’s worst showing since 2015-16, with stars Embiid and Paul George spending more time in street clothes than on the court.
Now the real trouble begins.
Sources around the league say Embiid might not even be ready for training camp in a few months. His knee problems have become so concerning that there’s talk the Sixers already regret giving him that massive contract extension in 2024.
Embiid’s Availability Becoming a Crisis
The numbers tell a painful story. Embiid has missed 106 games over the past two seasons while playing in just 58.
Last year was particularly brutal – he started only 19 of 82 games.
Instead of resting after the 2023-24 season when his knee needed rehab, Embiid chose to join Team USA for the Paris Olympics. That decision backfired badly.
By mid-February, the Sixers had completely shut him down. He never returned to action.
In April 2024, Embiid underwent surgery on the same knee he’d had a procedure on just a year earlier. The recovery hasn’t gone well.
“Bad” is the word NBA insider Brett Siegel says keeps coming up when teams discuss Embiid’s knee situation.
$193 Million Gamble Looking Worse by the Day
“A reminder that the 76ers and Daryl Morey gave Joel Embiid a 3-year contract extension worth $192.9 million even though his knee was cooked,” noted Scott Reichel on Twitter.
“This might be the worst contract extension in NBA history. If not, it’s definitely up there.”
Rival Eastern Conference teams believe the Sixers are already experiencing buyer’s remorse. Daryl Morey knew about Embiid’s knee issues but still handed him that three-year, $193 million deal.
It’s a decision that could haunt the franchise for years.
When healthy, the seven-time All-Star remains one of the NBA’s most dominant offensive forces. But “when healthy” has become the eternal qualifier for Embiid’s career.
Perhaps most concerning is a report from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggesting Embiid “might know the end is near.”
Can the 31-year-old big man bounce back and actually stay on the court next season? The Sixers’ future depends on it.
