Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has one of the biggest contracts in the NBA, though his checkered injury history is making it a burden on the franchise.
Embiid is making over $55 million next season, accounting for 35.71 percent of the team’s salary cap.
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At his peak, the former Kansas man dominates on the hardwood — scoring, defending, and rebounding at an elite level.
He has gone toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic for the title of the league’s best big man, winning an MVP, and led the league in scoring.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on March 29, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Heat defeated the 76ers 118-95. Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on March 29, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Heat defeated the 76ers 118-95. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Despite all of his achievements and talent, Embiid can no longer be counted on for more than 75 percent of Philly’s games.
His lingering injury questions led NBA writer Dan Favale to place him on Bleacher Report’s “NBA All-Overpaid Team,” and justified Embiid’s placement on the list.
“Back-to-backs are apparently off the table for, well, eternity. The Philadelphia 76ers have 16 of those this season,” Favale wrote in an article on BR.
“That basically precludes Embiid from meeting the 65-games threshold for awards.
“Remove back-to-backs from the equation, and having him on the court enough to warrant his salary remains an uphill climb.
“The Sixers do not seem convinced that he’ll be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
“Superstars cost money. The Sixers are shelling it out for theirs. But the league’s second-largest salary is supposed to buy you a level of certainty.
“Despite being an MVP talent, Embiid promises none until proven otherwise. Unfortunately for him and the Sixers, his knees have not held up over the past couple of seasons, costing him massive gaps of time on the court.”
What is Joel Embiid’s Future with the Sixers?
In 2024, Embiid only played 19 games, which followed a 39-game season in 2023.
During his peak, Embiid only played around 50-60 games, but produced at a high enough level to merit a max contract.
If he can get back to that range, he could lead the Sixers to a bounce-back campaign.
One has to wonder, if Embiid missed more than half the season again, could they explore an Embiid trade to get off his massive contract, potentially needing to attach multiple assets?
A two-time scoring champion, seven-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA team member, and three-time All-Defensive team member will get a long leash, and as the franchise’s lead man, the team will do whatever it takes to make the Embiid era work.
As time ticks on, general manager Darrel Morey has to wonder how much longer the team can wait for Embiid’s knees to hold up.
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