The 76ers are coming off an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign in which superstar Joel Embiid appeared in just 19 regular-season games. Philadelphia ultimately missed the playoffs after a 13th-place finish in the East.
The 2022-23 NBA MVP has appeared in just 58 games over the past two regular seasons due largely to a lingering left knee injury. Furthermore, durability continues to be a concern for the star big man entering his age-31 season.
Embiid underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April and is working to return by Opening Night, though it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Sixers limit his playing time during the regular season. Still, a relatively healthy Embiid has the potential to be a top-10 player in the NBA.
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League insiders debate Joel Embiid’s ranking
ESPN insiders recently ranked their top-100 players entering the 2025-26 season, placing Embiid at No. 47. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps spoke with league insiders about the ranking, with one Western Conference executive making a bold claim based on Embiid’s health.
“I just don’t think he’ll play enough,” the executive said when asked if Embiid belongs in the top 100.
Bontemps, however, revealed that most league insiders ranked him inside the top 40, noting his high upside.
“The upside is just too great to have him much lower than that,” an Eastern Conference scout said.
Embiid is an All-Star-caliber player when healthy, but his health is a key question heading into the 2025-26 campaign. The seven-time All-Star has yet to play more than 68 regular-season games in a single season, and his availability will be crucial for the 76ers if they hope to rebound from a disappointing 2024-25 season.
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