The Philadelphia 76ers are 5-3 on the season, tied for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Joel Embiid has been a shell of himself in the five games he’s played, and Paul George is yet to suit up. Instead, the Sixers have been kept afloat by Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Embiid has four seasons and roughly $243 million left on his contract. The 76ers are not getting rid of him anytime soon. Granted, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in trading him yet, even if a brutal truth has to be confronted.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers lays on the court during the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers Are Better Without Joel Embiid
The 76ers are 3-2 in games with Embiid this season. They are 2-1 without him, and their lone loss came against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On top of the records with and without Embiid, the numbers prove that the Sixers are better without their former MVP.
In games he plays, Philadelphia averages 120 points and gives up 118.6. Without him, they score 128.7 points and allow 120.3. The average margin of victory is a lot bigger.
The Sixers actually boast a slightly better offensive rating when he’s on the court, but their defense tanks. He seems to be totally immobile after years of leg injuries have caught up to him. The 76ers are certainly Maxey and Edgecombe’s team at this point, but with a massive contract yet to be paid out, their hands are tied.
Joel Embiid Is ‘Shot’ After Years of Injuries
The 76ers can’t really trade Embiid, but as his contract wanes, his salary could be used to balance that of a superstar on a tanking team. Maybe the 76ers can land Lauri Markkanen down the road? Just a thought!
“Do I think they are better if they could replace Joel Embiid with the pace that they’re trying to play at? Absolutely,” declared Kendrick Perkins on the Road Trippin’ podcast. “And I’m just being real here. Anybody that’s watching this, you know what I’m saying? Anybody watching this, been watching the 76ers, he can’t move. And I hate it for him. I really feel sorry for him. No lift, like those knees, or that knee, is shot.”
Embiid’s prime seems to be long gone. There’s hope he can revert to at least All-Star form, but injuries have taken a toll.
Embiid won’t play back-to-backs, maybe for the rest of his career, and his minutes restriction is yet to be lifted. As the team and fanbase move on to newer young stars, Embiid and George will likely end their careers as overpaid role-players. The Sixers, meanwhile, will compete for a playoff spot without their most expensive player impacting winning.
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