76ers, Joel Embiid Had Sought ‘Half A Dozen’ Medical Opinions Before Contract Extension

The Philadelphia 76ers and seven-time All-Star center Joel Embiid reportedly sought “half a dozen” medical opinions before both sides agreed to a three-year, $192.7 million contract extension in September, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

All of the consulted medical experts thought Joel Embiid’s knee could be “adequately managed”

All of those medical experts consulted believed Embiid’s knee could be “adequately managed by a combination of strategic rest and procedures to promote healing, which Embiid has been regularly undergoing since last season,” Shelburne wrote.

“Both the team and Embiid hoped his troublesome knee would be healthy enough to start the season, sources said,” she added. “Yet week after week, the Sixers would issue updates that he was still out, but they were hopeful he’d be ready soon.”

Joel Embiid (left knee injury management), Caleb Martin (low back soreness), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain), did not participate in today’s practice.

Embiid, George, and Lowry will remain OUT tomorrow vs. Houston.

Martin will be listed as QUESTIONABLE.

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 26, 2024

In October, the NBA issued a $100,000 fine to the Sixers for public statements the organization made about the health status of Embiid. The public comments did not properly reflect his health issues with his left knee.

The 7-footer missed the entire preseason and made his season debuted on Nov. 12 against the New York Knicks. However, the 2022-23 MVP was rusty, scoring just 13 points on 2-of-11 shooting in 26 minutes.

Embiid’s three-year, $192.7 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers begins in 2026-27

Embiid, 30, missed the first six games because of left knee injury management and the past two due to left knee swelling. He was also suspended three games without pay for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 2.

Through four appearances this season, Embiid is averaging 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest.

Per Spotrac, Embiid is currently in the second season of the four-year, $213.28 million contract he signed with Philadelphia in August 2021. His three-year, $192.7 million deal begins in 2026-27.

Both Embiid and Paul George, who has missed time because of a left knee bone bruise, have been mentioned in various trade rumors. Reports surfaced last week that both stars were disappointed in the Sixers for leaking the team’s private meeting.

As part of a trade restriction in Embiid’s current contract, if the 76ers wanted to move on from their 2014 draft pick, they wouldn’t be able to trade him until March 20, 2025.