Joel Embiid’s Uncertain Future: 76ers Face $250M Dilemma.
The Philadelphia 76ers have turned out to be the biggest letdown in the NBA this season. They kicked off the year with hopes of winning a championship, bringing in Paul George and finally moving on from Tobias Harris's hefty contract. Tyrese Maxey was expected to elevate his game, and Joel Embiid was set to make a strong comeback.
However, the team has struggled with injuries, and even when they’re healthy, their performance has been all over the place. Maxey has been decent, though not quite as efficient as in past seasons. George has faced his own injury issues and has taken a break from podcasting to focus on basketball, which is a strange thing to say, but hey, it’s 2025.
On top of that, Embiid has been battling ongoing knee problems and even missed three games after an incident with a member of the Philadelphia media. With the 76ers currently out of the playoff race, it seems they’re ready to give up. They’ve decided to shut Embiid down due to "ongoing issues with his left knee."
That wouldn’t be the end of the world, but early reports suggest the injury might be worse than it looks. There’s even a chance Embiid might not play again, which is a massive financial headache for the Sixers, who still owe him nearly $250 million.
According to Sixers beat writer Adam Aaronson, Embiid still has four seasons remaining on his contract. If the salary cap projections hold up, he’s set to earn around $55.2 million next season. After that, he’ll make $59.5 million in 2026-27, $64.3 million in 2027-28, and has a player option that could exceed $69 million in the 2028-29 season.
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Over these four years, Embiid is looking at a whopping $248,131,534. That’s nearly a quarter of a billion bucks—and he might not even step on the court again.
Embiid's journey has been rocky, starting with injuries. He sat out his first two seasons completely and only played 31 games in his third. He’s never played more than 68 games in a season and was only able to appear in 19 this year before being ruled out.
There’s a chance he could return next year in top shape, but big guys like him often have a harder time staying healthy. With Embiid about to turn 31, he’s entering the later stages of what’s usually considered an NBA career.
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Or maybe Embiid ends up on a journey like Lonzo Ball, who sat out for 1,009 days while dealing with ongoing knee issues during his time with the Bulls. A lot of folks thought Ball was done for, but he’s actually been a standout player for Chicago.
But would the 76ers really be okay with waiting almost three years for Embiid to return? If this knee injury turns out to be serious, the team will face some tough choices about his future. Whatever happens, it’s likely to come with a hefty price tag.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s future, there’s still hope for both him and the 76ers. Modern medicine and advancements in player rehabilitation have allowed stars to make remarkable comebacks, and if anyone has the determination to fight through adversity, it’s Embiid.
The Sixers also have a talented roster, with Tyrese Maxey continuing to develop into a star and Paul George providing veteran leadership. If Embiid can recover and return to form, Philadelphia could still be a championship contender. Even if his role evolves, his presence alone is invaluable. The road ahead is uncertain, but the Sixers’ future isn’t doomed yet.
