3 ways Sixers can avoid messing up Joel Embiid’s future after latest knee injury

Joel Embiid's knee situation is concerning for the Philadelphia 76ers as their NBA title hopes depend on his health.

3 ways Sixers can avoid messing up Joel Embiid’s future after latest knee injury

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers had high hopes for this season. The combination of superstar Joel Embiid along with Tyrese Maxey and free agent signing Paul George were good enough to push the team into NBA title conversations.

However, their season has been anything but that of a title contender. From the start of the season up until the end of November, the Sixers had a horrible 4-14 run. That time, injuries to Joel Embiid and George were the reasons, therefore, fans still had faith.

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That faith was restored when both return and sparked a 9-3 to end 2024. They won big games against the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, giving further hope that the franchise’s fortunes were about to turn around.

Three games later, Embiid was again out with an injury after which, the Sixers crashed to a 1-8 run. A four-game winning streak followed but they again went on a 1-10 run. However, these last few weeks have been stressful as the condition of Embiid’s knee has become a matter of serious concern.

He has been vocal about needing additional surgery and rest to help his knee recover. However, he has been struggling with that injury since his MVP season. Considering all that, there are a few things the Philadelphia 76ers can do to ensure their most important superstar has a future.

Shut Joel Embiid down for this season

Despite the need for another surgery and proper rehabilitation, their superstar center has shown a determination to continue playing. However, for the sake of his and the franchise’s future, it makes sense for them to shut him down immediately.

It is wise to go speak with the best specialists from across the world and then start his surgery and treatment right away. Once that is over, Joel Embiid will have at least six months to fully recover. After that, he can start to work his way back into shape and then join training camp in October.

One of the reasons the seven-footer could not recover fully from his meniscus tear was because he had to rush back to help the team reach the playoffs. Then playing in the Paris Olympics also meant he could not rest his knee. That brings up the second point.

No basketball until September

That Paris Olympics run might have netted him an Olympic gold medal. However, now many believe he could have utilized that time to rest his knee. Once surgery or whatever treatment the doctors suggest happens, Joel Embiid should not get back on the court until September.

The Philadelphia 76ers must ensure he stays at home and does not engage in any physical activity where his knee is involved. Only then can he get the complete rest that he needs. They have extended him until the 2028-29 season where they will pay him a staggering $69 million to play basketball.

If his knee continues to flare up like this, they can forget about keeping him around for that long. His injury concerns take away the possibility of a trade. Therefore, the 76ers are stuck with the Cameroonian for the next four seasons.

Not rush him back, restrict minutes next season and force to drop weight

Considering they need him to spearhead their lineup for the foreseeable future, there are a few more fail safes the Philadelphia 76ers need to employ. In the event his recovery does not go to plan, the team should not repeat their mistake from this past season.

They should forbid him from suiting up to play unless his knee has fully recovered. The long run is more important than short term needs and for that, they need him to be completely healthy before picking up a basketball. If they want to win an NBA title, they need him to revert to MVP Joel Embiid.

However, they might as well have spurts of MVP Embiid than forcing him to play a full game. They should avoid trying to push him back into service and rather bring him back slowly and steadily. They rather have him picking up minutes in the playoffs than risk it in the regular season.

At the same time, they should instruct him to drop weight. The great Tim Duncan also had knee issues in his career. But after he dropped weight, he could continue playing at a high level. Embiid should follow the same methodology, something many big men have been advising him for quite some time.