There has been a deafening silence surrounding Joel Embiid's recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, reminiscent of the build-up to the Philadelphia 76ers' 2024 training camp. The jury is out on whether the 2023 Most Valuable Player will be missing for a prolonged period.
With the Sixers' franchise star missing 63 games during the previous campaign, fans are itching to be provided with some transparency on the situation of a star who currently sits on a $248 million, four-year contract -- a bumper deal that general manager Daryl Morey may be starting to regret.
Despite bravely battling through injuries that have severely hampered his career, Embiid has exhibited traits of a center that could be the integral cog for a championship-contending franchise, averaging 27.7 points and 11 rebounds throughout his impressive career.
However, if the latest 76ers rumour carries any substance, a nightmare scenario may be set to land on the doorstep of the Sixers' front office. A scenario that could pivot the direction of travel in the 'City of Brotherly Love'.
Joel Embiid's fitness concerns rage on for the 76ers
According to sources, the common word associated with Embiid in his rehab is that things are 'bad', and that these surgeries and countless rehab efforts have taken a toll on him mentally.
These latest updates suggest that Philadelphia will have to commence its training camp without its superstar for a second consecutive campaign, which the 76ers fanbase will accept if it results in an MVP-calibre player gracing the Wells Fargo Center court and propelling his teammates into championship contention.
Nevertheless, history has proven on countless occasions that Philadelphia will not be provided this luxury. If the worst-case scenario does arise, then Morey must decide whether he can continue to commit such a large segment of the salary cap to a star that cannot contribute during the majority of the NBA schedule.
Daryl Morey would then be left with the impossible conundrum of finding a capable suitor who was willing -- or able -- to inherit an inflated contract with an element of Russian roulette attached to it. Of course, the reward of absorbing Embiid's mouthwatering deal would be to acquire one of the most devastating centers that the league has ever witnessed.
Under no circumstances would Philadelphia 76ers' fans want to give up one of the greatest players in their history, but eventually, reality must trump emotion -- the Joel Embiid era may have to come to an end to allow this franchise to blossom.