Report: Joel Embiid Could Sit Out Next Season, Too

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that 76ers’ center Joel Embiid—the third pick in last year’s draft—has suffered setbacks in his recovery from surgery on his right foot and is unlikely to be ready for the start of next season, and may even miss the entire 2015-16 season.

Embiid is supposed to be The Guy for the Sixers, and if he’s down another season—one that the team already made clear is a rebuilding year after trading away Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels—then Sam Hinkie’s rebuilding plan will take a major blow, and the fans who go to The Center will be in for another miserable campaign.

Outside of the not-fat Embiid and Nerlens Noel—who last season emerged as the anchor of the Sixers’ stifling defense—the team has little-to-no talent, especially in the backcourt. Shoot, they don’t even have the good Grant brother! They do own the third overall pick in the upcoming draft, though, which they can surely use on an exciting prospect whose potential will keep Sixers fans excited about the future while ignoring yet another season of mostly winless basketball.

Photo: AP