As it turns out, missing their best player has been quite a detriment for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid appeared in only a fourth of the Sixers’ 16 games this season, and it’s hard not to think that’s played a role in how things have shaped up for them.
The warning signs were there before the season even started. Embiid played on a torn meniscus during the 2024 NBA Playoffs and did not look like himself. He then played in the 2024 Olympics, where he once again seemed off and caused concern that his knee could be an issue heading into the year.
That didn’t deter the Sixers from inking him to a three-year extension worth $193 million. For the record, that extension won’t kick in until 2026.
That extension has become quite the elephant in the room in light of how things have fared for Embiid thus far. Even when he’s played, he looks like a shell of himself, which also shows up on the stat sheet.
Embiid is averaging 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds on 37.9% shooting and 16.7% from three. His assist-to-turnover ratio is also lacking, as it’s almost 1:1, as Embiid averages 3.5 assists to 3.3 turnovers.
A new wrinkle has also come out that makes it more concerning.
The Sixers knew about his injury before the extension
The Athletic’s Sam Amick has connections to Sixers personnel. In his conversations with them, he revealed on Run it Back on FanDuel TV that the Sixers were aware of his injury before giving him the extension.
“I had asked essentially, 'Was there any regret about doing the extension? … And did you also know at that time (about the injury)?' And the answers I got were, ‘Yes, we knew,’ and that there was a confidence level in their ability to manage it going forward.”
All hope is not lost, but things look very grim to start. It is downright terrifying to think that the Sixers may pay Embiid upwards of $69 million at 34 years old with a broken-down body and no hope of playing at the level he once did.
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