The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in an unfamiliar and disappointing position as they head into the All-Star break with a 20-34 record, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference. What was once considered a championship-contending team is now fighting just to make the play-in tournament, and a big reason for that is Joel Embiid’s ongoing injury struggles.
With Embiid having played only 17 games this season, NBA legend Kevin Garnett believes the Sixers should shut him down for the remainder of the season so that he can properly heal from his lingering knee issues.
“Embiid, Big Fella, let’s get some fresh air. Go and shut it down. Get right. Get your body right. Go ahead and get the surgery. Bro, he not gonna be ready for the season, bro.”
The 76ers are in a bad way right now 😳
How much longer before they cut ties with some major pieces and rethink the process?
Tune into the newest Ticket & The Truth on the KG Certified YouTube. pic.twitter.com/mC0WpTjMBw
— All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) February 14, 2025
The former MVP has dealt with chronic injury concerns throughout his career, but this season has been particularly frustrating. Embiid underwent surgery for a meniscus tear last February, returned quickly for the NBA Playoffs, then played for Team USA in the Paris Olympics before heading into this season.
The lack of proper recovery time seems to have exacerbated his knee problems, leading to an inconsistent, injury-plagued season. Load management hasn’t helped, and Embiid himself admitted last Sunday that he may need another surgery if the issue doesn’t improve soon.
Garnett’s take wasn’t the only blunt assessment of Embiid’s situation. Paul Pierce also agreed, stating that continuing to play at less than 100% is pointless, and long-term health should be the priority. Pierce pointed out that the timeline for surgery and recovery would allow Embiid to return stronger for next season, rather than risking further injury in a season that is already lost.
While Garnett’s advice focused on Embiid’s personal health, Pierce took it a step further, suggesting that the Sixers should move on from Embiid entirely and start building around Tyrese Maxey. Pierce also pointed out that Paul George, who signed a major contract extension, isn’t going anywhere, and the Sixers need to think about the future.
Embiid has been the franchise cornerstone since 2014, leading the team through the ups and downs of “The Process”, but his injury history continues to be a major roadblock. While trading him would be a massive shake-up, Pierce believes that it may be necessary for the Sixers to truly move forward.
The Sixers’ front office has a major decision to make. Do they continue building around Embiid, hoping he can stay healthy long enough to lead a championship run? Or do they accept reality, shut him down for the season, and begin looking at trade possibilities?
With Maxey emerging as a legitimate star and Embiid’s health always in question, Garnett and Pierce’s advice may not be far from the truth. At this point, shutting Embiid down and reassessing the franchise’s direction may be the smartest move Philadelphia can make.
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