Since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, Joel Embiid has struggled with injuries. He missed the first two years of his career due to injury and played only 31 in his third season. Joel has never played 70+ games and managed to play in 60+ only four times. In the last two seasons, he has appeared in only 58 games combined. Is it time for the Sixers to think beyond The Process? Should they consider sending Embiid into retirement?
The Sixers Can Send Joel Embiid Into Retirement
Given Embiid’s injury history and availability, it might be time for the Sixers to explore options for their franchise player. He is out for the season and has to go through another surgery along with recovery. According to NBA Insider Keith Smith, the team can file for medical retirement for Joel Embiid. He said,
“76ers could petition for a medical retirement for Joel Embiid if he’s unable to play a year from now. At that point, an independent doctor, selected by the NBA and NBPA would examine Embiid. If agreed he can no longer play, his remaining contract would be wiped off the books for the Sixers.”
76ers could petition for a ‘medical retirement’ for Joel Embiid if he’s unable to play a year from now, per @KeithSmithNBA
“At that point, an independent doctor selected by the NBA and NBPA would examine Embiid. If agreed he can no longer play, his remaining contract would be… pic.twitter.com/aXuCzLoNWy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 1, 2025
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This is an option of last resort for the team. It shows how severe the injury concern surrounding Embiid is and how much financial problems his contract can cause.
What is a Medical Retirement?
Medical retirements happen when an NBA player is forced to retire due to a career-ending injury or illness. The latest example is Chris Bosh, who had to retire after multiple blood clot issues. Doctors ruled it is a career-ending condition, and the Miami Heat received salary cap relief. The NBA officially declared Bosh ineligible to play. Many fans around the NBA were reminded of Bosh’s condition recently when Victor Wembanyama suffered a blood clot.
Who Pays the Money?
The Sixers can file for a medical retirement for Joel Embiid one year after his last game. That would be February 22, 2026. After that, they have to wait and see what the NBA decides. If he is deemed ineligible to play, Embiid will have to retire.
However, the Sixers still have to pay the remaining of his contract. If at some point, Embiid is able to return, he will go back to his former team if he is still under contract. If his contract finishes, he can enter free agency. (Fun fact: Embiid cannot play only in the NBA. He can try to join other leagues and teams if someone takes him.)
Why Would the Sixers Consider Medical Retirement for Joel Embiid?
Joel Embiid is 30 years old (turns 31 on March 16) is owed about $192 million in the next three seasons. He is a former MVP and a seven-time All-Star player.
But his services do not come cheap. When he is on the floor and healthy, he is among the top five players in the league. In the last two seasons though, Embiid has appeared in only 58 games. Last season, he averaged more points than minutes, but he got injured and never looked the same.
The Sixers, a Player in 2026 Free Agency?
If the Sixers pivot from Joel Embiid because of his medical status, they can quickly return to contending. Without his contract, the Sixers will be a big player in the 2026 free agency. As currently constructed, the Sixers have $162 million in salary for the 2026-27 season. Assuming they file for a medical retirement, they will have only $105 million in salary. That would open up cap room for signing a max player. They can go even lower if they decide to trade Paul George and his $54 million contract.
As of now, the Sixers have only PG, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Adem Bona, and Ricky Council IV signed for that season. Of course, things will probably change in the next year, but they can easily get max salary space without Embiid’s salary. Right now, many teams are positioning for the 2026 free agency, and the Sixers can be one of them.
Photo credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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