How the Sixers could force Joel Embiid’s into “medical retirement”
The MVP from a couple seasons ago has been ruled out of the season and now Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid’s future could be in in jeopardy for the long term.
The Philadelphia 76ers ruled out Joel Embiid for the rest of the season after evaluating all options and determining it was best for the team and for their former MVP. The big man has been plagued by knee injuries for the last few seasons and Philly could look into the possibility of forcing him into “medical retirement.”
Embiid done after just 19 games played
It’s been a rough season for Philadelphia. They are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after a dreadful start to the season and their super star is now officially done for the year.
Embiid played just 19 games in a season that he declared he wouldn’t be playing in second ends of back-to-back games. He was rarely available for the Sixers this year, and after limping through the first half of the season he will not be playing anymore.
.@ShamsCharania discusses Joel Embiid officially being out for the season due to a left knee injury. pic.twitter.com/DogIl6yp7y
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 1, 2025
The Sixers season is all but done. They have no options to get to the postseason and now the franchise is looking towards the future. It’s a future that they would love to have Embiid be a part of, but that depends on how healthy he is going to be in the years to come.
Philly might just get their money back
Embiid singed a three-year extension worth $192.9 million dollars before the start of this season. It’s a fully guaranteed deal, but that could change if the Sixers petition for a “medical retirement” if he isn’t ready to play in the next year according to NBA Insider Keith Smith.
If that situation to present itself the would be up to an independent doctor selected by the league and the NBAPA to study his injuries and the forecast of his health in the future. If the doctor rules that he is no longer fit to play, that would nullify his contract which would be removed from the Sixers pay roll.
Embiid is one of the world’s best players, when healthy. In the 19 games he played this year, he averaged 23.8 points 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. These are good numbers but a far cry from what he was putting in the last few years when he averaged over 30 points and 10 rebounds a game.
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