Joel Embiid‘s injury struggles have derailed the Philadelphia 76ers‘ push for success for the past two seasons. The Sixers’ former MVP has rarely featured as part of the rotation during that time, playing in 58 out of a possible 162 regular-season games.
Sooner or later, Daryl Morey must make a decision on whether he believes Embiid can ever return to the dominant player he once was. And, if the answer is no, then now might be the right time to start exploring potential trade options.
In an August 2 article for ClutchPoints, Jedd Pagaduan proposed a trade that could get the San Antonio Spurs to take a dice roll by pairing Embiid with Victor Wembanyama. The proposed trade looks like this:
76ers trade: Joel Embiid
Spurs trade: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, three first-round picks (2027 ATL first-round pick, 2029 and 2031 SAS first-round pick)
Pagaduan, however, has admitted that this type of deal is a long shot for the Sixers.
“Make no mistake about it, there is no way the San Antonio Spurs will agree to this trade,” Pagaduan wrote. “There is no universe where the Spurs will decide to give up all of those assets for someone like Embiid, especially not when we live in a universe where they refused to be aggressive in acquiring Kevin Durant — someone who could have fit perfectly for what they’re building around Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox.”
While a move to San Antonio is far from likely, the trade package Pagaduan proposed may be along the right lines of what the Sixers could expect. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Embiid’s injury history means the franchise would likely receive depth pieces and young prospects, rather than a proven star.
Embiid Could Be Close To Retirement
When speaking via Sirius XM NBA Dash Radio on Sunday, July 27, Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey speculated that Embiid’s career could be drawing to a close.
“I think Joel may know that the end is near, and this is just me saying, and it’s kind of like explaining to people what he’s been going through,” Pompey said. “Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain (they’re in) and how much they’re going through.”
Pompey continued.
“The thing I took from it was no matter who is there, the culture is the same. And I feel like Joel Embiid knows that it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he feels as though he can’t play to the level he used to. I could be wrong. He could come out and have another MVP season. But that was my takeaway.”
Embiid could still bounce back from his latest injury hell. He’s young enough that he could re-invent himself and continue to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career. However, if his current issues persist, then calling time on his career may be the only viable option he has left.
Embiid Still Not Back On The Court
According to a report from The Athletic’s Tony Jones, Embiid has yet to begin on-court basketball activities.
“It’s been almost a year and a half since the knee injury he suffered at Golden State derailed him for most of the 2024-25 season, and Morey says Embiid is ‘on track’ to be healthy for training camp, the start of the preseason and the start of the regular season,” Jones wrote. “League sources tell The Athletic that Embiid still hasn’t returned to on-court basketball activities. That said, Morey and the front office remain optimistic that Embiid will be on the floor for the season opener.”
We’re still months away from the new NBA season. Therefore, there’s plenty of time for Embiid to continue his recovery and get back on the court. However, if he’s not ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, then questions will be asked about his ability to lead the franchise toward a championship in the coming months.
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