Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, addressed the media after the team selected V.J. Edgecombe with the 3rd overall pick of the NBA Draft.
Morey gave an update on superstar Joel Embiid, who played in just 19 games this season after multiple injuries. He said that Embiid has made progress in rehab and expects him to be ready by the start of training camp.
“Spoke to Joel today. He’s very engaged, attacking rehab,” Morey said. ”Doing everything he can to be out there. He had a meeting with (the surgeon) this week. All things, to use a NASA term, are nominal. Things are going well and expected and we expect that to continue.”
Embiid won the 2023 NBA MVP award, but since then, missed nearly two-thirds of the Sixers’ regular season games. The 31-year-old averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in his limited on-court action this season.
Morey Believes Embiid Will Be Ready To Go
It was Morey’s first time giving an update on Embiid since the end of the regular season. While the center has struggled with injuries throughout his career, his 19 appearances in 2024-25 were the lowest in his decade in the league.
Embiid originally had surgery in February of 2024 after suffering a torn meniscus last season. He was able to play for Team USA in the Olympics last summer but has faced more health concerns since. After multiple injuries this past season, Embiid had surgery in April to repair a lingering issue in his left knee connected to his previous meniscus tear.
Regardless, Morey believes their franchise superstar is on track with his recovery and will be healthy by the time next season begins.
“Things are on track to be ready right around there,” Morey said.
Before the knee surgery and subsequent lingering injuries, Embiid made seven consecutive All-Star appearances from 2018 to 2024. Along with winning the MVP award in 2023, Embiid has finished top-three in voting in three of the last five seasons.
Morey Praised Edgecombe As A Great Addition
Morey made sure to comment on their most recent draft pick in Edgecombe. He praised the former Baylor guard for his athleticism and defensive potential.
“We’re super excited about VJ, what he can bring to the team. A dynamic athlete, potential All-Star, two-way player, really helped his team. He’s got all these winning qualities that we think really fit,” Morey said. “And we think he’s on a great trajectory to take where he’s come from and continue to improve through Baylor all the way through a very long and very promising NBA career.”
Additionally, he claimied that the Sixers now have one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Philadelphia has gone heavy in drafting guards over the past few years. Morey believes Edgecombe will fit well with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Quentin Grimes.
“I mean, I think we’ll have one of the best back courts in the league, you know, with Grimes and Maxey and Jared McCain and now VJ,” Morey said. “I do think the way the NBA is going, I think you saw some of these teams playing dynamic up-tempo with multiple guards that put the defense in jeopardy.”
Edgecombe averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals in his lone season with Baylor.
Philadelphia finished the regular season with a 24-58 record, heavily influenced by Embiid, Maxey, and Paul George‘s injuries throughout the year. They now landed a guard who can come in and improve their defense. Morey believes Edgecombe has the ‘physical tools and the work ethic‘ to be a strong piece on a contending team.
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