JOEL Embiid is a doubt to miss the start of training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The former league MVP has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career.
Joel Embiid played just 19 games due to injury last season[/caption]
Embiid, 31, was shut down in February[/caption]
Embiid, 31, was limited to 39 regular season games during the 2023-24 season after undergoing meniscus surgery.
Despite his long layoff, the center participated in the Olympic Games last summer, helping Team USA win gold in Paris.
Knee issues continued to persist last season, with Embiid playing just 19 games before being shut down in February.
The Cameroon-born star again went under the knife in April in a bid to ease his ongoing knee concerns.
But pain continues to persist.
According to Clutchpoints, Embiid is a growing doubt to be ready in time for training camp.
The 76ers are due back on September 23 ahead of preseason games against the New York Knicks in Abu Dhabi on October 2 and 4.
The regular season will then begin on October 21.
Despite his persistent injury issues, the Sixers decided to tag three years onto Embiid’s contract last September, taking him up to 2029.
The three-year, $193 million extension includes a staggering $67,181,632 player option for the 2028-29 season, by which point Embiid will be 34-years-old.
Sixers bosses are continuing to remain optimistic about the situation, at least publicly.
But several executives around the league are said to believe that Embiid’s situation will not improve.
One even told Clutchpoints that they believe the Sixers “regret” handing their seven-time All-Star his extension.
The Sixers acquired Paul George in free agency last year in a bid to retool around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
But with George also missing plenty of time due to injury, Philly bottomed out to finish 13th in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers’ poor season saw them given the third pick in the NBA Draft, with Daryl Morey taking VJ Edgecombe out of Baylor.
Philadelphia has otherwise had a quiet off season so far, re-signing Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon, while also bringing in Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow.
The Sixers are yet to agree an extension with former Knick Quentin Grimes, who excelled after moving over to Philly from Dallas last season.
They have also lost Guerschon Yabusele, with the Frenchman signing for New York.
Philadelphia should at least be boosted by the return of Jared McCain, who had his promising rookie season cruelly cut short by injury after just 23 games.
