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Joel Embiid To Miss 2015-16 Season Following Second Surgery?

By Cody Daniel

Feb 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) walks with center Joel Embiid (21) after running him threw drills prior to a game against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) walks with center Joel Embiid (21) after running him threw drills prior to a game against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid missed what would have been his rookie season in 2014-15 as he recovered from a fracture to the navicular bone in his right foot.

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There were murmurs that Embiid’s progressive recovery would allow him to play in the NBA Summer League currently underway, but that would to be shot down with a setback that was said to potentially delay Embiid’s 2015-16 debut.

But to add gasoline to the fire, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Saturday morning that Embiid is now set to have a second surgery on his right foot that will likely keep the Cameroon native out for the entire 2015-16 season, again.

"“I would say there’s a great possibility that Embiid won’t play next year,” the source said. “Just think how long they sat him when they thought he was healthy.”"

Obviously, this isn’t the news general manager Sam Hinkie, head coach Brett Brown, Joel Embiid himself, nor any of the Sixers fans were looking forward to surrounding Embiid’s recovery. Upon being drafted third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, the comparisons that surrounded Embiid were to Hall-of-Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, if he were ever able to make a full recovery and remain that way.

Who knows what this may mean for the Sixers and Embiid’s future? For now, it will become a waiting game to see how devastating this injury ultimately turns out to be for Embiid’s long-term health, as the Inquirer reported one source saying the franchise is concerned the setback could be “career-threatening.”

Based off the recent reports, the Sixers selecting center Jahlil Okafor No. 3 overall in last month’s draft is starting to make a lot more sense, as questions of whether or not a healthy Embiid will ever suit up in Philly start to become much more legitimate.

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