The Philadelphia 76ers are facing a staggering crisis – $164.21 million worth of talent is sitting on the bench with injuries. That’s nearly 89% of their entire payroll watching games in street clothes.
It’s a brutal turn of events for a team that was supposed to be among the East’s elite this season. Instead, they’re struggling just to stay in the playoff picture, sitting two games out of even making the play-in tournament with a disappointing 15-23 record.
The biggest problem? Their three stars can’t seem to stay healthy at the same time.
Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have only played six games together this season. When they do manage to share the court, they’re nearly unbeatable – going 5-1 in those rare appearances.
Embiid’s situation is particularly concerning. The reigning MVP has only played in 13 of the team’s 37 games this year, missing the last four straight. This comes after playing just 39 games last season due to knee problems.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Embiid just signed a massive contract extension worth $192.9 million over three years, which will pay him an eye-popping $69 million in the final year alone.
Paul George hasn’t fared much better. After signing a $212 million deal to join the Sixers, he’s only managed to play 26 games. A bone bruise in his left knee has kept him sidelined, adding to his history of knee issues.
Even young star Tyrese Maxey, fresh off signing his own $204 million extension, has missed time with a hamstring injury.
Just how bad is it? The three stars’ combined salaries eat up nearly 97% of the team’s payroll:
– Embiid: 36.57%
– George: 35%
– Maxey: 25%
The situation is unprecedented. The next closest team, the Utah Jazz, has $110.13 million in injured salaries – that’s more than $50 million less than the Sixers.
For perspective, the Trail Blazers ($68.87 million), Nets ($68.07 million), Pacers ($59.84 million), and Heat ($52.42 million) round out the top six teams hit by injuries, but none come close to Philadelphia’s unfortunate record.
