Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers needs to have a comeback season as soon as possible, or else the questions and concerns about him will continue to grow.
Unfortunately, one respected NBA insider is suggesting that Embiid might not ever play like he used to.
Keith Pompey spoke about Embiid to SiriusXM NBA Radio, and his comments were stark and unsettling.
“I think Joel might know the end is near. Rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain and how much they’re going through. I feel like Joel Embiid knows that it may not be this season, but the end is near. I could be wrong. He could come out and have another MVP season,” Pompey said, via NBACentral.
“I think Joel might know the end is near.” ?
– @PompeyOnSixers on Joel Embiid’s future
(? @SiriusXMNBA )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 27, 2025
Pompey’s words come at a very tricky time for Embiid and his team.
He was recently the subject of a major article that spoke about his numerous injuries and problems he has had with his team’s medical staff.
On top of that, some reports have said that Embiid might not be at 100 percent, or even close to it, next season.
Even after months off recovering from his latest injury, the Sixers may not get prime Embiid in 2025-26, or ever again.
He only played in 19 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists during that time.
There was hope that he just needed more time to rehabilitate and prepare for the upcoming season, but recent headlines and Pompey’s insight put all of that in doubt.
Have we seen the last of Embiid’s MVP-caliber playing?
Will he ever again look like the man who once took the NBA by storm?
The worries about him are only growing, and fans are waiting for even a little bit of good news.
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