Joel Embiid’s health concerns have reached a critical point, and Stephen A. Smith’s latest comments on First Take suggest that retirement might not be an unrealistic option for the former MVP. Smith questioned the Philadelphia 76ers‘ decision to extend Embiid’s contract, pointing out that his ongoing injuries and physical decline have left the franchise in a precarious situation.
“I think Daryl Morey is going to end up losing his job in Philadelphia. I’m not advocating for it, but I think it’s important to mention.”
“Because at some point in time, if you’re the billionaire owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, you’re going to ask Daryl Morey, ‘Why did we give Joel Embiid this extension? Look at his health. Look at how debilitated he is.'”
“And if indeed it’s a health concern, which obviously it is, why did you let him play in the Olympics? Why couldn’t we compel him for that not to be an issue? Those kinds of questions are going to come up”.
“I didn’t even bring up the fourth year you gave Paul George. Because the Clippers—if I’m Paul, I’m going to tell you what I think is the issue with Paul George right now. Paul George never wanted to be in Philadelphia. He went there for the money. And I think it’s something that we all have to look at.”
“Obviously, with the job that he did in L.A., what they had the potential to be, he clearly felt that he was worth it. And you can make a legitimate argument that he was. But the year that he had last year, he was balling.”
“But let’s understand—there’s something to be said about not being able to put a price on happiness. We all want to get paid. None of us are going to apologize for that. He took that extra fourth year.”
“I think that sometimes you have to ask yourself whether that extra year of dollars, which will be coming down the road, was worth sacrificing the level of happiness he had in L.A. compared to the misery he is now experiencing on the East Coast of Philadelphia, in a place that he never really, really wanted to be, in my humble opinion.”
“That’s what I think is primarily the issue with Paul George—a new system, being in a place that he doesn’t want to be in. He just went there for the money.”
“With Embiid, I don’t give a damn. You have to find out what Kobe did—God rest his soul—when he used to go over to Germany. You have to do something because Embiid looks like he can barely move. His health is awful.”
“And I’m just saying, he’s on the verge where you almost get to a point, Shannon—I’ll hand it to you with this—you almost get to a point where, if you’re Embiid, you’re kind of wondering: should you consider retiring and taking the insurance money? Should you consider doing something like that? Because that’s how debilitated he looks.”
“The Sixers are going nowhere. They clearly need to sit him and Paul George for the rest of the season to try to get whatever they can out of them over the final three years of their deals and just do it that way. Because you’re going nowhere this year.”
“All you’re doing is adding and stockpiling physical abuse on their bodies. There’s no reason for them to be playing anymore.”
With the Sixers sitting at 12th in the Eastern Conference with a dismal 20-36 record, Smith argued that there is little point in continuing to play Embiid and Paul George this season, as it only adds unnecessary wear and tear to their already fragile bodies.
Smith also criticized the Sixers’ handling of Embiid’s workload, particularly allowing him to play for Team USA in the summer despite his chronic injury issues. While winning gold at the Olympics was a significant achievement, the added strain on his body may have worsened his condition.
Kawhi Leonard was initially named to the Olympic roster but withdrew due to his own injury history. Unlike Leonard, Embiid opted to compete, which now appears to have been a costly decision.
The financial implications of Embiid’s contract further complicate matters for the Sixers. He is still owed $55 million for the final year of his current deal, and his three-year, $192 million extension will soon kick in.
With this kind of financial commitment, the Sixers are tied to a player who has missed over 400 games in his career, despite earning over $266 million. This season alone, he has appeared in just 19 of the team’s 56 games, making it clear that his availability remains a massive concern.
Smith took his argument a step further by suggesting that Embiid should consider retiring and collecting insurance money rather than continuing to battle through his deteriorating physical condition.
He emphasized that Embiid “can barely move” and that his health is “awful.” While this may seem like an extreme take, the reality is that Embiid’s body is breaking down at a concerning rate, and the Sixers are left with few options.
Embiid himself has admitted that he cannot trust his body right now, particularly his injured knee. After returning for a brief stretch of games, he confessed that he didn’t feel like himself and could not rely on his knee to hold up in crucial moments. These comments have reportedly led the Sixers to seriously consider surgery for Embiid, which would effectively end his season.
Paul George’s situation is another factor that complicates Philadelphia’s future. Smith pointed out that George never truly wanted to be in Philadelphia but made the move purely for financial reasons. George accepted a fourth year on his deal that the Clippers were unwilling to offer, but now finds himself in a situation where he is struggling both physically and mentally.
Like Embiid, George has had his fair share of injuries, playing just 37 of the team’s 56 games so far. With both stars frequently sidelined, the Sixers’ season has turned into a disaster, leaving them on the outside looking in for even a play-in spot.
Given their bleak outlook, Smith believes the Sixers need to be proactive. Instead of risking further injuries, the team should shut down both Embiid and George for the remainder of the season.
This would allow them to focus on long-term recovery and avoid further unnecessary physical damage. Additionally, the Sixers have little trade value in their two stars right now—no team is willing to take on massive contracts for injury-prone players with uncertain futures. Their best bet is to regroup in the offseason and hope for a healthier return next year.
Ultimately, Smith’s suggestion of retirement for Embiid may seem dramatic, but it highlights the severity of the situation. The Sixers are stuck with two injury-prone stars, a roster incapable of competing at a high level, and no clear path forward. If Embiid’s body continues to fail him, difficult conversations will need to be had about his long-term future in the NBA.
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