It has been a little over a month since Joel Embiid was officially shut down for the season due to his continued knee issues. Since then, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar has spent this time talking with a variety of doctors and consultants to find the best direction for his future.
This direction became official today with Embiid now set to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Embiid will be re-evaluated six weeks after the surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
As has become commonplace with Embiid’s injury status, the update from the Philadelphia 76ers’ organization remained vague.
Charania went into more detail in his reporting, stating, “The procedure is being done with the goal of reducing the symptoms Embiid has been experiencing, and will allow him to perform at a higher level, sources said.”
This sort of confirms the biggest fear that there is not a specific injury to correct. Embiid has battled injury issues throughout his career with this marking the second surgery on this knee in the past 14 months. The pain he is battling is evident when watching him move around the court, but this is not a situation where there is a clear cause and effect for either the issue or the solution.
After winning MVP in the 2022-23 season with monstrous averages of 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, Embiid has suited up for just 59 total games over the past two seasons. Statistically, Embiid was in the midst of an even more impressive season last year across the opening 39 games he played before suffering a meniscus tear that derailed his outlook. This accelerated Embiid’s pathway toward career-altering injury issues with him rushing to return for the postseason. Embiid ultimately returned and suited up for six games of postseason action, averaging 33.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game before being eliminated by the New York Knicks. His averages were impressive, especially since Embiid did not look 100%.
The Sixers superstar contributed in the Olympics for Team USA this past offseason and again did not look like himself. While he still provided value to the team, Embiid was not moving well and sported a massive brace. He was unable to suit up for the first nine games of this season for the Sixers with vague injury updates surrounding his knee being provided. Embiid played just 19 total games this season and never looked to be the physically dominant version of himself as seen in his MVP season. Across his limited action, he averaged just 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting a career-worst from the field and having the least defensive impact he’s ever flashed.
What is Next for Joel Embiid and the Sixers?
Everything that could possibly go wrong for Embiid and the Sixers this season has gone wrong. The team holds a record of 23-53 and has lost 26 of their past 30 games. Philadelphia’s full focus has shifted toward the NBA Draft Lottery with this further magnified by their draft pick being top-six protected. If their pick falls within the first six selections they keep possession of it and have a chance to add a key young talent, but if it slips outside of that range it will belong to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Currently, the Sixers hold a 64% chance of the draft pick falling within the top six and a 10.5% chance of it being the number-one overall pick.
The outcome of this draft selection will play a major factor in the future of the Sixers organization. They are fairly handcuffed in ways to improve the roster after last offseason’s all-in move to sign Paul George to a max contract, pairing him with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. George also has been shut down for the season due to injury and underwhelmed during the 41 games he did play. George still holds three years and $162.2 million remaining on his contract, with the final season a $56.6 million player option. Embiid holds a similar outlook as the three-year, $192 million extension he signed to carry him through the 2028-29 season has not even kicked in yet.
Philadelphia has done some nice things in the margins this year, such as drafting Jared McCain, adding Justin Edwards as an undrafted free agent, and trading for Quentin Grimes. But so much of the current outlook is built upon Joel Embiid and Paul George being capable as foundational parts of the franchise. With so much money committed to them and the rest of the league seeing these same injuries, any sort of trade seems improbable.
Instead, the Sixers will look to run it back next year and hope for some luck in the draft lottery. The outlook for Embiid is at the top of the list of concerns for the franchise and will dictate a great deal of the decision-making process moving forward. Keep an eye on any updates from the Sixers organization with this recovery game plan now decided.
