The Philadelphia 76ers need Joel Embiid. The former MVP is impossible to guard and a force on both ends of the floor when healthy, but the franchise cannot count on him. There has been plenty of mystery in recent weeks before the Sixers ruled him out for at least seven to ten days on Jan. 17. Embiid hasn’t played since Jan. 4 and has only appeared in 13 games this season.
Without him, the 76ers are 8-18 this season. Only five teams have a worse winning percentage on the year than Philly's 30.7 percent without their best player. Philadelphia has dealt with multiple injuries and has has dropped four straight. Their slate is difficult from here on out and nobody when Embiid will return.
The Process missed six games with a foot injury but has again been ruled out with a knee issue. There is no fixing this problem. Embiid will have periodic swelling and be forced to miss time. Philadelphia does not know when, but this latest bout should have the franchise looking in a new direction.
76ers should tank with Joel Embiid sidelined by a knee injury
The Sixers owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Thunder with a top-six protection. They currently have the eighth-worst record and just a 26.2 percent chance of keeping their choice. Philadelphia drafted Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in recent years. Daryl Morey can find talent if they keep their pick and add another building block for the Sixers.
Philadelphia cannot waste any time. They must have one of the two worst records to be guaranteed to keep their selection. That won’t happen as the Wizards and Hornets both have fewer than ten wins and no reason to climb the standings. Getting to the sixth-worst mark in the NBA improves Philly’s odds to 45.8 percent. The Nets and Blazers are within 2.5 games of the Sixers in the standings right now.
It is time for Daryl Morey and the 76ers to face a harsh reality. Jared McCain is out for the season. Paul George has looked like a shell of his All-NBA days and has a lengthy injury history. Philly does not have enough depth and many of their veteran signings have not worked. Now, Embiid is out with another knee issue.
It is a lost season. The Mavericks had one in 2023 after acquiring Kyrie Irving before reaching the NBA Finals the following season. Dallas tanked to keep their protected draft pick and happily paid a fine to do so. It got them Derrick Lively II and made them better. The Sixers should follow that blueprint, especially with Embiid set to miss an unknown amount of time.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. They hoped signing Paul George would make them a title contender, but it has not worked. It is time to look to the future and try to get Joel Embiid healthy. That is the franchise’s only hope of winning a title. It won’t be easy to sell to the fan base, but the Sixers must.