Joel Embiid has become one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA. Undeniably dominant and already known as one of the best big men of the modern era, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar has unfortunately coupled on-court brilliance with consistent spells away from the action.
It's a reality that the 76ers are attempting to bend to their benefit by enlisting a new set of rules for how Embiid navigates the regular season.
Embiid and 76ers head coach Nick Nurse told Tim Bontemps of ESPN that they would prefer not to see the two-time scoring champion involved in both legs of any back-to-backs in 2024-25. It's an understandable, but equally startling development considering Philadelphia will play 26 games across 13 back-to-backs.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the NBA is equally as concerned and is planning to investigate the 76ers' usage of Embiid and how it fits within the Association's player participation policy.
"The NBA is likely to begin an investigation later this week into the Philadelphia 76ers surrounding the player participation of All-NBA center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Wednesday."
Charania elaborated on Philadelphia's plans for the former MVP, explaining that the franchise is expected to sit him for periods of time in preparation for the postseason.
"This is part of the new normal for Embiid this season, according to sources, strategize to keep the former NBA MVP healthy for the postseason. The plan has been expected to include periodic time off during the regular season and routine evaluations from doctors and the 76ers medical staff, those sources said."
This could prove to be a disastrous development on multiple levels for Embiid and the 76ers.
Joel Embiid, 76ers facing potential player participation violation
The 76ers are now faced with an impossible decision that will define the 2024-25 season. Either Philadelphia will adhere to the NBA's potential ruling on how they may be violating the player participation policy or it will act in defiance.
The Brooklyn Nets were fined $100,000 for sitting four of their five starters in 2023-24, and that may have set the precedent for what the 76ers could be facing.
The Nets' violation was for one game, however, while Philadelphia's strategy for Embiid's usage projects to spread across a full season. He'll still appear as often as they deem possible, but the NBA could have a say in the legality of that approach.
If the NBA finds that Embiid and the 76ers are in violation of the player participation policy and the team still goes through with its strategy, uncharted territory will be entered.
With this in mind, Nurse and the 76ers may need to alter a strategy that likely took months to properly structure. It'll need to reevaluate what a realistic usage level is for Embiid both during games and in terms of how many appearances he can safely make within the context of a new plan.
The same could be said for Paul George, whom Nurse has stated he would also like to keep out of at least one leg of every back-to-back.
Regardless of how that plays out, the NBA's involvement doesn't bode well for Philadelphia. They will now be held accountable in a way that could directly impact the championship ambitions and general structure of Nurse's rotations.
It's the worst-case scenario being realized before the 2024-25 regular season can even begin—not exactly the ideal way to set the tone for a definitive campaign.