Joel Embiid's injury revelation shows 76ers screwed up star's timeline

During the 76ers' 135-127 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, ESPN's Lisa Salters reported that Embiid believes it "likely take another surgery and a long recovery period" before he's healthy again. Embiid put up 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the loss, but only three points and four rebounds came in the second half.

It's been a severely disappointing season for the 20-32 Sixers, who spent multiple seasons clearing salary cap space for the summer of 2024. They traded James Harden, let Tobias Harris walk in free agency and declined to make any moves that would jeopardize their maximum-salary cap room after the 2023-24 season.

That paid off when the team managed to land free agent Paul George and bring in veterans Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond and Caleb Martin in free agency, while resigning Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Tyrese Maxey. The only thing they didn't have was a healthy superstar.

Sunday was only Embiid's 16th game of the season. He suffered a meniscus tear last January, and while he rushed back to help the 76ers' playoff push, his knee never looked right.

He appeared to aggravate the injury when he dunked off a pass to himself off the background during Philly's first-round loss to the New York Knicks. Embiid played limited minutes during Team USA's run to the gold medal, then sat out the beginning of the season for Philadelphia as it got off to a 3-14 start.

Embiid has always had injuries throughout his short career. He say out his first two seasons, then played just 31 games in his third year. When he's been on the court, the results have been incredible, with the center winning MVP in the 2022-23 season. But due to his history and his seven-foot, 280-pound frame, he's always been an injury risk.

Nonetheless, Sixers team president Daryl Morey was still focused on clearing cap space for the summer of 2024. At the last two trade deadlines, Morey prioritized cutting payroll and adding extra picks over surrounding Embiid with talent. This year, the Sixers focused on getting under the luxury tax.

Now it looks like the 2024-25 season is a wash, and Embiid is facing a surgery and another extended recovery. George turns 35 in May. Embiid is signed for four more years and $248M. It's hard to think Embiid will be much more available next season after another knee surgery.

The 76ers sacrificed a big chunk of Embiid's prime waiting to make a big move. Now their big move happened, and their superstar might be too banged up for it to matter.