Joel Embiid has once again become a source of concern for Philadelphia 76ers fans, as injuries continue to haunt his postseason career. The star center and his team were swept by the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA playoffs—marking the sixth time Embiid has exited at this stage in his nine playoff appearances.
During a recent press conference, questions about his future with the 76ers drew a troubling response. Embiid sounded unsure about whether he would remain in Philadelphia beyond this season.
“VJ is going, I know, you know, I’m gonna talk to him, he’s gonna be better, and he was amazing for his first year. Tyrese is gonna be better, and he’s taking a step every single year. PG that we saw the last couple of weeks, you know, he still got it, and then everybody else. I don’t know who’s gonna be here. I don’t even know if I’m gonna be here, you know, whatever happens happens, but, you know, for me I’m excited about, you know, really getting back to myself,” Embiid said.
The 76ers now face a challenging offseason. With significant salary cap space tied to Paul George and Embiid’s contracts, their ability to make roster improvements is limited. While some NBA executives might consider trading a star under these circumstances, it remains highly unlikely that the franchise would part ways with Embiid.
Despite the disappointment, Embiid offered reassurance about his physical condition. The 13-year veteran has dealt with persistent knee issues, but he affirmed that those concerns are behind him. “I hate losing, but I thought I was done,” Embiid admitted after the Game 4 loss. “That’s the best way to put it. And then I found something and we found something as a group to figure out what we have to do to make sure I’m better positioned next year to play a lot of games.”
Fans may be uneasy, but Embiid is determined to make the most of his summer work and return stronger for the 2026-2027 season.