Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been one of the premier big men in the game over the last few years. Although injuries have sidelined him for much of his career, Embiid remains a crucial part of Philadelphia’s long-term plans.
The level of importance the 76ers have placed on Embiid, while inspiring, could also become a concern. A recent speculation by Sixers insider Keith Pompey suggested that Embiid may be nearing the end of his NBA career.
Given how much the franchise has invested in him, should Embiid choose to retire at this stage, the team would be left heavily shorthanded, effectively sending them into a rebuild.
But this may not be the worst thing for the franchise. Given the superstar’s long periods of absence, Philadelphia may view this as an opportunity to pursue a more reliable franchise player. Should they succeed in stretching his contract over time, the 76ers would also be able to free up the necessary cap space to do so.
While trades may not be the most feasible route following a retirement, we explore key free-agent targets Philadelphia could pursue. With the 2027 free agency window emerging as one of the most stacked pools of talent, we explore four superstars the 76ers could target in this period.
Julius Randle
One of the familiar names in the 2027 free agent class will be Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle. Coming off an impressive season with the team, having made a Western Conference Finals appearance, the Wolves offered Randle an extension, seeing him through the next two seasons, with a player option in the third.
Randle was an integral member of the Wolves’ rotation in the regular season as well as the playoffs. As the driving force in the frontcourt, Randle made use of his versatile offensive skill set and rebounding abilities to shore up the team’s efforts.
With an average of 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, the three-time All-Star established himself as a star-caliber player alongside Anthony Edwards. Although the duo couldn’t see the team through to the Finals, they still have potential.
By the 2027 free agency window, Randle will be 32 years old. While he won’t be in his prime, he could still be a vital addition to the 76ers, especially next to their young core.
The forward has had success as the primary star on a team. In a situation where he would essentially be playing second fiddle again, he could be useful in mentoring them.
Alex Sarr
An interesting prospect on the list for the 76ers in the summer of 2027 could be Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr. Coming off his rookie season, Sarr displayed a lot of potential to be effective as a star-caliber player.
Sarr has an impressive skill set for a rookie. As an athletic big man, the 20-year-old leverages his size and length effectively to be considered a two-way threat. While averaging 1.5 blocks per game, Sarr showcased versatility on the offensive end with an average of 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, while shooting 39.4% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range.
It is still too early to consider Sarr a superstar. But when considering the timeline for Philadelphia in the event of Embiid’s retirement, he could be an ideal replacement for the team.
Playing alongside the team’s young core of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and VJ Edgecomb would be like the second coming of “The Process”.
Although the Wizards would be likely to re-sign him, the 76ers could make the most of a situation by attempting to offer him a sizable extension to lure him away from Washington.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns, much like most superstars heading into the 2027 free agency period, will have a player option in their contract. If Towns declines it and enters free agency, Philadelphia could emerge as a suitor.
As things stand, the 29-year-old big man is in a solid place with the New York Knicks. Although he faced a lot of criticism for his shortcomings in the postseason, Towns remains one of their most valuable assets.
Towns has proven himself to be a legitimate offensive threat. With his ability to create scoring opportunities at three levels, the big man also displayed flashes of skillful playmaking in the playoffs.
In the event of Embiid’s retirement, the 76ers would need a versatile big man to share the responsibilities of carrying the offensive load with Maxey. Towns’ averages of 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds showcase his capability to take on such a task.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2025 deadline. In a shocking move that effectively changed the landscape of the NBA, Davis found himself becoming the number one option on a new team.
Although injuries hindered his performance, the 32-year-old remained productive on the court. Last season, he averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
Widely regarded as one of the most versatile two-way big men in the game, Davis is a bona fide superstar. Given the extent of Philadelphia’s requirements from a star-caliber player, the Mavs’ big man could be an ideal signing in free agency.
Davis also has a sizeable $62.7 million player option in the summer of 2027, which he’s likely to opt into, especially considering how intriguing the Mavericks’ future looks.
Cooper Flagg‘s development into a superstar is the primary storyline driving this narrative. Although this is exciting, should the Mavs come up short in their endeavors, Davis could consider testing free agency.
While the 76ers could use a player like Davis to be the face of the franchise, the big man may be just as injury-prone as Embiid, if not more. If consistency is to be prioritized, the 10-time All-Star may not be the ideal pick.
Embiid’s Return May Be Delayed
Joel Embiid suffered a knee injury that required surgery last season. Following surgery, the big man is now in recovery. In a recent interview, the 76ers superstar proposed that he would be taking his time with his return instead of rushing it.
This approach is aimed at helping him return in peak condition while minimizing the risk of future injuries. But the consequences of this could be devastating for the franchise.
With Paul George also recovering from recent knee surgery, there’s a real possibility the 76ers begin the new season without their star duo.
