5 days ago
76ers' Joel Embiid named most overpaid player in NBA due to one reason
76ers' Joel Embiid named most overpaid player in NBA due to one reason originally appeared on The Sporting News
It's almost unfair to suggest that Joel Embiid is a bust, overpaid, or many other things that fans and the media like to call him. Ultimately, some 76ers fans will suggest that Embiid's career hasn't gone exactly how they've wanted it to, but that doesn't take away from the fact that when he's on the court, he's arguably the best player in the NBA.
However, with his injury history and questions heading into the 2025-26 season, some are uncertain how to feel about Embiid. That includes Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation, who recently named him one of the most overpaid players in the league. Embiid has four years and $243 million left on his contract, and if he isn't on the court, it'd be tough to argue against that.
"Embiid was playing like the best player in the NBA until he went down with a knee injury Jan. 2024. The big man hasn't been the same since, and only played 19 games this past season as he tried and failed to get healthy. Embiid turns 32 in March, and has dealt with back, foot, and knee injuries since he entered the league.
"The Sixers should be competing for championships right now with Embiid in his prime, but instead his body is already breaking down before he's ever put together a signature playoff run. If he can't get on the floor and get back to something close to his peak level, Embiid is suddenly looking like the worst contract in the NBA," he wrote.
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Now, nobody would be upset even if Embiid just plays in the postseason and helps the 76ers win a championship.
Of course, many would love to see him come back out and win an MVP during the regular season, but the goal is for the 76ers to win a championship.
As long as he's healthy during the postseason, which sounds like a long shot at times, everybody would be content at this point.
