While Joel Embiid has helped turn the Philadelphia 76ers into a consistent contender, they’re playoff success has been limited.
But that has not put Embiid’s future with the 76ers.
Embiid is under contract in Philadelphia for the next three seasons and has a player option for the 2026-27 season. And according to a report from Sam Amick of The Athletic, Embiid has no plans on leaving the 76ers before then — or at any point of his career.
“As for the question of whether Embiid might be trying to leave Philly anytime soon, a high-ranking Sixers source told The Athletic that Embiid or his representatives have not shared any such message with the team,” Amick said. “In fact, the organization’s belief remains that Embiid would love to go the way of Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant and stay with one team for his entire career. The source was granted anonymity because these sorts of matters aren’t typically discussed publicly.”
Individually, Embiid has accomplished an awful lot in Philadelphia. He’s a six-time All-Star, has been all NBA five times (first team once, second team four times), has won four scoring titles and is the reigning NBA MVP. But what Embiid lacks, especially when compared to Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant, is team success.
The 76ers have transformed into a consistent contending team, making the playoffs in each of the last six seasons. But the second round has been Philadelphia’s high watermark in the Embiid-era. The 76ers are still looking for their first NBA title since 1983 and their first trip to the NBA Finals (or even Eastern Conference Finals) since 2001.
Embiid’s desire to stay in Philadelphia may not be dulled if the 76ers continue to fall short in the postseason. But that’s probably not something the team should put to the test.
