Day: November 27, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid sought out approximately six medical opinions before they signed a three-year, $192 million extension in September, sources tell ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. All of those consulted believed Embiid’s knee could be managed by a combination of strategic rest and procedures to promote healing.

Embiid and the Sixers hoped his knee would be healthy enough to play to start the season. They anticipated him needing more time to work his way into shape after the Olympics, but it became clear over time his knee wasn’t right.

Embiid has not played with the same force since his return and is averaging just 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 31.4 minutes over his first four games. Embiid averaged more than one point per minute last season. Embiid’s PER has dropped from 33.4 last season to 16.4 this season.

Cam Thomas will be out three to four weeks due to a left hamstring strain.

Thomas ranks 14th in the NBA in scoring at 24.7 points per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 38.9 percent on three-pointers.

Thomas, who will be a restricted free agent in 2025, is represented by Alex Saratsis.

Daryl Morey’s internal projection system had this year’s Philadelphia 76ers as having the best chance of winning an NBA championship than any team he had previously assembled, including the Houston Rockets in 2018 that lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

The Sixers entered the season with the NBA’s fourth best odds of winning a title at 8-1 with an over/under of 51.5 regular season wins.

Morey’s proprietary system usually assigns title contenders as having between a five and 10 percent chance. Morey’s formula topped out at 70 percent when the Warriors acquired Kevin Durant ahead of the 16-17 season.

But the Sixers have struggled with injuries to each of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey.

“Except for [Jared] McCain, everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong,” one team source said.