Joel Embiid has a new look heading into the season, and it could change everything for the 76ers. After slimming down significantly this summer, the Philly star is hoping the transformation will help him stay healthy, play more games, and finally give his team a real shot in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
“Joel Embiid has slimmed down significantly this offseason, transforming his own look ahead of this season,” wrote NBA Insider Evan Sidery of Forbes. “The Sixers’ star is hoping to finally play a significant amount of games to make them a serious threat in the wide-open Eastern Conference.”
When healthy, Joel Embiid is one of the best centers in the league and a regular MVP candidate. For his career, he’s averaging 27.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game as the face and leader of the 76ers. His game is undeniable, but availability is another matter.
The biggest issue with Embiid has been health and availability. Since he was drafted in 2014, the star big man has missed two full seasons, not including three campaigns where he played in fewer than 40 games. To date, Embiid has yet to play over 66 games in any single season, and their schedule for the next campaign isn’t going to be any easier.
It’s impossible to prevent injuries, but Embiid has experienced more of them than any other superstar on his level. What’s worse is that the former MVP and seven-time All-Star has never made it past the Conference Semifinals, a glaring blemish on his otherwise impressive resume.
The 2024-25 campaign marked a particularly brutal season for Embiid and the 76ers. Fresh after losing James Harden, they paired Embiid with Paul George, but the results were anything but positive. Joel played just 19 games while George had one of his worst seasons ever (16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists) as the 76ers fell to the bottom of the standings. They finished 13th in the East at 24-58.
Going into the 2025-26 campaign, all hope is lost that the 76ers are ready to win the championship, but Embiid still believes that his team has a chance. His efforts to slim down, which fans have already noticed, could restore the superstar to his MVP form, which is enough on its own to make the 76ers a major threat in the East.
There’s also Paul George’s play. History tells us he’s better than his showing last season, and living up to his star standards will go a long way in pushing the 76ers into the higher tiers of the Eastern Conference. If that’s not enough, Philadelphia also has young guard Tyrese Maxey, who is on the verge of a breakout season.
As much hope as the 76ers have right now, everything hinges on Embiid, and that’s a scary thought given his long and extensive injury history. The good news is, he’s committed to getting in shape, and getting leaner may be the last action needed to finally make himself more consistently available for his team.
If Joel Embiid can stay on the floor, the Sixers will always have a chance. He’s the kind of player who can swing an entire season, and his commitment to getting leaner shows he’s not done chasing that breakthrough. For Philadelphia, everything starts and ends with their big man, and this year could be the one where he finally proves durability can match his dominance.
