Among the concerns about the Philadelphia 76ers, perhaps their biggest one is where they go from here with Joel Embiid. Embiid hasn’t played since February 22 and has only played 19 games during the 2026 season.

Embiid’s absence has led to the Sixers’ awful season overall. His situation might get even more complicated. Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that Embiid wants to get back to the player he was, but there’s a problem.

“According to those with knowledge of the situation, Embiid is still hoping for some sort of cure-all procedure that would allow him to return to his MVP form. Heading into this week, however, neither the Sixers’ own medical staff nor any of the external doctors consulted throughout this saga had been able to pinpoint a clear-cut pathway to steering Embiid in his desired direction,” Fischer wrote.

Embiid’s knee has been a problem since he tore his meniscus in 2024. That didn’t stop him from playing in the postseason or the Olympics later that year. In hindsight, he may come to regret doing that, given all the uncertainty surrounding his knee.

That could loom large for the Sixers’ immediate future. Their championship hopes have rested on Embiid’s presence from the very jump. Even with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, they need Embiid at the top of his game to have a shot.

The Sixers also knew from the start that Embiid was injury-prone. Although he has tried valiantly to fight through his injuries, they are adding up. Philadelphia must consider their next move if he can’t return to 100%. Sadly, even if the Sixers decide to trade him, teams may view him as damaged goods.

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