The Philadelphia 76ers’ season ended with a 144-114 blowout loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday night, marking the sixth time Joel Embiid has fallen in the second round of the playoffs. The star Cameroonian center has spent a decade in Philly without reaching the NBA Finals. Last season, the team rolled out a Big 3 featuring Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, but injuries limited them to just 15 games together. Despite a first-round upset of the Boston Celtics, the 76ers had no answer for the Knicks in Round 2.
When asked about his own future, Embiid was noncommittal. “I love Philly. I’ve been here my whole career. A lot has happened. We haven’t won,” he said. The former MVP is eager for an offseason focused on skill development rather than rehab. “Going into the summer, having a chance to be more prepared with everything bodywise, and you know my game.” He also praised his teammates for stepping up during the regular season and playoffs.
But uncertainty lingers. “Tyrese is going to be better, and he’s taking a step every single year. PG that we saw the last couple of weeks—know, he still got it. And then everybody else. I don’t know who’s going to be here. I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but you know, whatever happens happens,” Embiid said, casting doubt on the Big 3’s return.
Paul George is under contract for four years and $211.6 million, signed two summers ago. He played well in the playoffs after returning from a 25-game suspension. But the 76ers will owe Embiid and George a combined $111 million next season, with no guarantee of health. At the trade deadline, they dealt Jared McCain to save luxury tax, banking on Quentin Grimes and rookie VJ Edgecombe as depth options. However, Grimes has averaged just 6.5 points in the playoffs, adding pressure on Maxey. Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. are unrestricted free agents, further complicating the roster.
The bigger question: Should Philadelphia move on from Embiid? The center has three years left on his contract, including a $67 million player option for 2028-29. Former Sixer and NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams suggested on FanDuel’s Run It Back that trading Embiid could accelerate a rebuild around Maxey and Edgecombe. “I think it’s almost getting to that point,” Carter-Williams said. “They have young guys that are really good. It’s not like if you trade him and you get some pieces, you have to start from ground zero. You’re still in the mix with the guys you have right now. So I think it’s getting close that they look for that option, because people still see that when he plays, he can hoop. There’s still some value there.”
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale floated the idea of trading for two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, suggesting it might mean parting with Paul George or other assets. For now, the 76ers face an offseason full of decisions, with Embiid’s future at the center of it all.