Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid appears to be in the best shape of his life in this 2026 offseason, and his new teammate LeBron James likes what he is seeing. Embiid was among a handful of 76ers players who recently worked out at the team’s practice facility, and he looked to have slimmed down a fair bit in the pictures and videos shared online.
James came across one of the pictures Embiid posted and sent out a clear message.
“Trust The Process,” James wrote.
“Trust the process” has, of course, been the mantra for the 76ers since the Sam Hinkie era, when their goal was to get high draft picks. It started as a bit of a joke, but Embiid legitimized it by adopting “The Process” as his nickname.
So, when James said “trust the process” at the Fanatics Fest in mid-July, he sent 76ers fans into a frenzy. The 41-year-old hadn’t made his free agency decision at the time, and later clarified that he wasn’t dropping any hints. He claimed he had been saying “trust the process” since he entered the NBA in 2003.
That brought 76ers fans back down to earth. Their hopes and dreams were seemingly crushed again. James looked likely to go to the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Miami Heat as time went by, but stunned the basketball world by signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers.
It was reported that the oft-injured Embiid giving assurances regarding his health after a first surgery-free summer was a reason why James chose to sign with the 76ers. The big man certainly appears to be trying to ensure he stays upright next season with the kind of shape he is in now.
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The likes of Charles Barkley had long called out Embiid for being out of shape. His weight was pointed to as a reason why he misses so much time with injuries.
Embiid played 38 games in 2025-26, 19 in 2024-25, and 39 in 2023-24. That’s 96 out of a possible 246 games.
You cannot have such an unreliable key piece if you want to win a championship. Embiid’s injuries are a big reason why the 76ers haven’t even made it to the Eastern Conference Finals with him. His body just always tends to break down in the playoffs. Will 2027 be the year things finally change?
James, who averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26, would certainly be hoping so. The 22-time All-Star chose the 76ers because he believed they gave him the best chance of winning a title. If Embiid isn’t healthy in the postseason, their chances drop significantly.
76ers Head Coach Nick Nurse On Joel Embiid’s Summer
There is certainly optimism in Philadelphia that this season will be different. 76ers head coach Nick Nurse recently shared a positive update about Embiid’s health.
“Joel is still unbelievably talented,” Nurse said. “He looks fantastic, by the way. He’s having a great summer, probably the first time in a couple of summers. He’s in shape, he’s active, and he’s feeling much better to get out on the floor and to get in the weight room.”
Embiid was great when he played last season. The 32-year-old averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game in 2025-26.
Embiid isn’t the two-way force he once was because of all the injuries, but he is still fully capable of putting up points in a hurry. The 2023 MVP remains a difference-maker, and here’s hoping that injury bug stays away for once.
