The Philadelphia 76ers are in a tricky situation with their superstar.
Not much has gone right in Philadelphia over the past couple of years. From James Harden’s public breakup with the franchise to the myriad of injuries that destroyed the 76ers’ hopes of doing anything in 2025, things don’t exactly look bright in Philadelphia.
Still, with some intriguing young players and some veteran star power when healthy, the 76ers still present a threat to some of the top teams in the East. However, Joel Embiid’s status will continue to make or break any goals that the 76ers have.
A big problem with the big man
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One of the most interesting pieces of Embiid’s health situation is that the 76ers are on the hook for quite some time. Embiid’s three-year, $193 million extension from last offseason sets him up to be a 76er through the 2028-29 season.
As [FanSided](https://thesixersense.com/76ers-silent-rival-gets-close-to-stealing-perfect-piece-for-philly-puzzle)’s Will Eudy recently explained, that could be a massive issue for the 76ers. As Eudy noted, the 2023 MVP’s health is still a question mark and his ability to get on the floor is never a guarantee.
It’s hard to argue with that point, considering the 76ers look like a shell of themselves when Embiid isn’t on the floor, which, unfortunately for Philadelphia, is quite often. Last season, Embiid suited up in only 19 games, which came after missing 43 games a season earlier.
Overall, there is no doubt that Embiid is among the top players in the league when he’s on the floor. However, as he gets older and his play naturally declines, his health will only become an even more disastrous piece of the 76ers’ puzzle.