Unlike last season, the Philadelphia 76ers started the regular season with Joel Embiid active and actually playing. Both the medical and coaching staff implemented strict limits on his workload early on and kept him out of back-to-backs to keep him as fresh as possible, but as people may have anticipated, the superstar has still missed plenty of games.
Embiid has played in just six games so far this season, missing the last seven games due to a problem with his right knee. It is actually his left knee that is chronically injured, but it appears that his other took the brunt of compensating for the first. Embiid comes in on Tuesday listed as questionable to playbut it does not change the fact that his recurring absence must be accepted as the norm for the future.
Over time, many have grown tired of almost having to play odds with Embiid, who is arguably the most injury-prone superstar in the NBA. So it’s not surprising that fans will start lobbying for him to be traded in the near future. However, that raises the question of whether any team would even consider acquiring him.
The 76ers are simply stuck with Joel Embiid
Aside from the fact that Embiid is now on the wrong side of 30 and has an extensive track record of troubling injuries that continue to hamper him, the other reason why trading him is almost a big story at this point is the fact that his contract is also one of the most unwanted in the entire association.
The massive three-year, $188.2 million extension he signed last year doesn’t kick in until the 2026-27 season starts, meaning a team will have to feel comfortable paying him that kind of money for the next three years. after this current campaign.
With all teams pretty much avoiding the tax moratorium like the plague, there’s probably no team that would even entertain the thought of trading for Embiid. Heck, that same scenario goes way beyond just taking a risk – it’s just downright unwise.
As a result, the 76ers don’t really have a way out of Embiid and his massive contract. He and the coaching staff will have to find a way to make this partnership work, especially since it is guaranteed to last a long time. Unfortunately for those who want him to seek refuge elsewhere, their wish is as good as a moot wish.
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