It's been radio silent on the Joel Embiid front since he was ruled out for the rest of last season with a knee injury. No news is bad news and even the most optimistic Philadelphia 76ers fan doesn't expect that he will be available to start next season.
That is par for the course with Embiid, with him being injured more than he's been available. By now, Sixers fans are likely sick of it and next season should be the year the Sixers finally do something about it.
Since he made his debut with the Sixers, Embiid has been their sun, moon, and stars on both sides of the ball. However, things have changed, and the 76ers shouldn't continue with him as their focal point whenever he returns next season. If he returns next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers must pivot away from Joel Embiid
The Sixers have a chance to take a dual-track approach to their roster. Embiid and Paul George are the veterans who, when healthy, can help lead a team to the playoffs but aren't reliable enough to always do so.
Tyrese Maxey is the young star, VJ Edgecombe is a high lottery pick, and Jared McCain is a solid young prospect, possibly rounding out the Sixers' young core. Focusing on Maxey and their young core, and less on Embiid and George, is the right move. Anything they get out of those two would be like found money.
It would also make life post-Embiid and post-George much easier with them already pivoting away from them. Maxey should be their man going forward, no question.
The Sixers can't completely move away from Embiid and Paul George
With those players' (shall we say) sketchy injury track record, it would be freeing to move on from them sooner than later. Unfortunately, if they can't stay healthy, then the Sixers can't simply move on from them.
Embiid is under contract for the next three seasons, while George is under contract for the next four. Barring the Sixers being able to file for medical retirement for Embiid or trade George, they will be stuck with those players for at least three more years. Ouch!
All told, now is the right time for the Sixers to move on from Embiid and George without actually moving on from Embiid and George. Instead, the 76ers have a young core that they should focus on, with Maxey being ready to be the face of the franchise.