76ers Put Their $193M Faith in Embiid – But Who Can Guarantee He’ll Stay Healthy?

The Philadelphia 76ers are heading into the 2025–26 NBA season under a cloud of uncertainty, and the name at the center of it all is one fans know far too well: Joel Embiid. Once the embodiment of hope and dominance for the franchise, Embiid now represents the team’s biggest gamble — a $193 million bet that could define the next half-decade for the Sixers, for better or worse.

A Familiar Concern Resurfaces

Training camp is scheduled to open on September 23, but whispers from inside the organization suggest the reigning face of the franchise may not be ready to participate. According to multiple reports, including one from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints on August 4, there is “growing concern” about Embiid’s readiness. The offseason has reportedly seen only minimal progress in his recovery, with one unnamed league source describing his current condition in blunt terms: “bad.”

This isn’t an unfamiliar storyline for Philadelphia. The 2024–25 season was derailed when Embiid appeared in just 19 games before ongoing knee problems forced him to shut things down in February. That decision led to surgery in April — his second major knee operation in as many years. The first, a meniscus procedure in the 2023–24 season, had already cut his appearances to 39 games.

And yet, despite these persistent injuries, Embiid suited up for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, contributing to their gold-medal victory. Just weeks later, the Sixers doubled down, signing him to a three-year extension worth $193 million, locking him in through 2028–29 with a massive $67.18 million player option for the final year.

The deal was meant to signal stability, but according to ClutchPoints, not everyone around the league saw it that way. One anonymous executive even suggested Philadelphia may already regret making such a commitment given Embiid’s recent durability issues.

A Summer Plagued by Injuries

The Sixers’ medical chart this summer has looked more like a battlefield report than a training camp preview. Paul George, their marquee free-agent signing in 2024, also underwent knee surgery after an offseason workout mishap. Tyrese Maxey, the team’s rising star guard, suffered a minor injury but fortunately avoided surgery. At one point, five key players — including Embiid, George, and Maxey — were sidelined in some capacity.

Speaking to ClutchPoints reporter Tomer Azarly, Maxey summarized the obvious challenge ahead: “If we’re not healthy and on the floor together, it’s extremely hard to move forward.” That statement resonates with Sixers fans who have seen season after season derailed by injuries to their stars.

A Painful Memory of Last Season

Last year’s campaign was a nightmare by any measure. Philadelphia stumbled to a 13th-place finish in the Eastern Conference, which unexpectedly landed them the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That selection turned into Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, a dynamic wing expected to bring energy and defensive tenacity.

In addition to the draft, the offseason brought familiar faces back — Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon — along with role-player depth in Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker, and Dominick Barlow. Rookie Jared McCain, whose debut was cut short to 23 games due to injury, is set to return. However, trade acquisition Quentin Grimes remains without an extension, adding another layer of uncertainty. Meanwhile, former Sixer Guerschon Yabusele has landed with the New York Knicks.

Vegas Sees Trouble

The betting markets have little faith in a Sixers resurgence — at least for now. As of August 2025, sportsbooks list Philadelphia at +3600 to win the NBA championship, tied for 13th-best odds in the league and trailing Eastern rivals like the Oklahoma City Thunder (+220) and the New York Knicks (-200) for the division.

Philadelphia’s projected win total sits at 44.5, with the over slightly favored at -120. In early lines for select matchups, the Sixers are already labeled as underdogs, sitting at +170 with a +5 spread, according to TheLines.

The MVP conversation for Embiid is equally mixed. MyTopSportsbooks has him at +400, placing him just behind LeBron James (+350) and ahead of Luka Dončić (+525). But on DraftKings, he’s a long shot at +7000, ranking ninth overall — a steep drop that reflects skepticism about both his health and his ability to dominate across a full season.

Fan Base Split Between Hope and Frustration

Among the fan community, optimism is lukewarm at best. In a recent Liberty Ballers poll, 39% of respondents described the offseason as “okay, but I need to see more”, while 22% labeled it “underwhelming”. The rest were split between outright optimism and deep skepticism.

On social media, some fans have voiced frustration over the team’s reliance on injured stars, while others insist the Sixers have quietly built a roster that could surprise people if — and it’s a massive if — they stay healthy.

The $193 Million Question

All of this boils down to one uncomfortable truth: The Sixers’ season hinges almost entirely on Embiid’s availability. The three-year, $193 million extension was a bet on his ability to overcome injuries and deliver elite performance deep into the playoffs. But without him on the floor, Philadelphia’s chances of contending shrink dramatically.

And here’s the real kicker: The clock is ticking. Embiid will be 32 by the end of this contract. The physical toll of his playing style — coupled with his history of lower-body injuries — raises legitimate questions about how many elite years he has left.

Upcoming Tests

Philadelphia’s preseason will take them far from home, opening with two games against the Knicks in Abu Dhabi on October 2 and 4. The regular season tips off on October 21, but the organization has yet to confirm whether Embiid will be in uniform for the opener.

For now, fans, analysts, and bettors are left with a season preview that reads more like a suspense novel than a basketball schedule. Will Embiid be ready? Will George and Maxey stay healthy? And if the Sixers stumble early, will the front office be forced to consider dramatic roster moves?

The Bottom Line

The Sixers have invested heavily in a roster built around one of the most dominant — and most fragile — superstars in the game. The outcome of that gamble will define not just the 2025–26 season but potentially the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.

The storyline is rich with drama: a reigning MVP-level talent battling his own body, a front office walking a tightrope between loyalty and risk, and a fan base caught between hope and resignation.

One thing is certain — the Sixers’ $193 million shadow isn’t going away anytime soon.