The Sixers got good news this morning about Joel Embiid‘s left knee, but there’s more to the story than the MRI results, writes Derek Bodner of The Athletic. Embiid is projected to miss two to three weeks with a bone bruise after a scary fall in Friday’s game.
Bodner estimates that April 3 is probably the earliest realistic date for Embiid to return, which will affect Philadelphia’s hopes for the top seed in the East. That would mean a 10-game absence, with eight of those games against teams with records of .500 or better. Losing Embiid could affect not only the playoff seedings, but also the MVP race and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s desire to make a major trade by the March 25 deadline.
An extended absence could affect Embiid’s next contract as well, Bodner adds. If Embiid makes an All-NBA team this season or in 2021/22, he will be eligible for a Designated Veteran Extension, which means his salary could start at 35% of the salary cap, rather than 30%.
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Morey gained a reputation for being aggressive at the trade deadline in Houston, but he’s cautioning Sixers fans not to count on a major deal this year, according to Dan Gelston of The Associated Press. Morey likes the cohesiveness of his current players, who are off to a 26-12 start. “We have a great group, a great chemistry, they’re playing at a high level, they play even better against very good teams,” he said. “That’s something fragile and we need to respect it. Long story short, everyone expecting some big thing, I would ask them to be excited about who we have more than what’s possible.”
- The Sixers are “loaded with assets” as they approach the trade deadline, ESPN’s Bobby Marks says in an Instagram video. They have an $8.29MM trade exception and seven players with expiring contracts. Marks expects Philadelphia to be in the mix for Andre Drummond, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyle Lowry.
- Tobias Harris feels like he has something to prove after being overlooked for the All-Star Game, writes Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Harris wasn’t selected as a reserve even though he averaged 20.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in the first half of the season. “When me and (head coach Doc Rivers) talk about it, I just tell him, ‘Look, I’ve got a bounty out for all the coaches that didn’t vote for me, all the national media that skipped over me,’” Harris said. “It is what it is, but me and Doc discuss that you make your name known in the playoffs and leading this team, and being solid and what you do day in and day out. And that was my mentality.”
If Embiid return date April 3, he missed 11 games
I project 3-8
If 76ers finished with 4th seed, plays Celtics or Heat in the first round playoffs
Road games vs West
It won’t be easy to beat lottery teams like Warriors
If he comes back on April 3rd, then Embiid would have missed just 10 games. The first 4 will be at home, but the next 6 are on the road. Two of them are against NY, so if they split those and beat the Kings and Cavs that’s 3 wins there. But the Lakers and Warriors aren’t playing well lately so they should be able to win at least one of those games, maybe they go 4-6.
3-8 lmao what a troll
Try 8-3, genius – that whole team is good. They have 8 players over 1.3 win shares.
I said 4-6 genius, try hitting the correct reply next time.
They are alr 3-1, another terrible take.
Terrible take, sixers r 3-1 already and went to ot with the bucks. Your just hating on them. You clearly do not know basketball.
Sixers go get PJ Tucker (for T Ferguson and T Bradley) which opens up a roster spot and then sign Glen Robinson.
You have a great team and have a real chance this year to do well. Don’t need to make any extreme moves just keep it simple and smart.
1. Simmons. Milton. Maxey
2. Curry. Thybulle. Joe
3. Green. Korkmaz. Robinson
4. Harris. Tucker. Scott
5. Embiid. Howard. Poirer
It’s all about shooters and defenders mixed well with experience and youth
I like it, but would prefer Ferguson and Poirer (Keep Bradley)…really I would prefer to go get Bjelica using the TPE but I would still be OK with this.
I don’t think Houston would be interested without Bradley and I mean end of the day, it’s our third choice centre. Howard and Embiid are the main centres and if we get Tucker he can play small ball 5.
Embiid is doing a terrific job talking Bradley up and boosting his value too.
As for Bjelicia he’s alright, probably a better shooter but defensively Tucker is a lot better and Tucker also is a good locker room fit and just stands in the corner offensively. Doesn’t demand the ball, doesn’t try anything special, doesn’t get in others way. He knows his role offensively and he does it well. Which is what you want for a PF/small ball 5 who would be the teams 4th option when on the court
I am not sure the Rockets care about Bradley or Poirer but rather the draft pick that will be attached to this trade. Personally I am not a huge Bradley fan but as we are looking at 3? Weeks or so with Joel 10-11 games at a minimum, this becomes a bigger issue. Howard cannot be counted on for more than 24 a night or so and that leaves us with Poirer or Bradley picking up some minutes unless Ben is going to lead us as a small ball center. I guess that can work depending on the matchups, but not one that I think works to Ben’s strengths except in situational instances rather than necessitated through desperation.
I read that Rockets want rotation productive young player. They don’t want any second round picks or expiring contracts.
Rotation players 6-8 man
So the Sixers are going to trade their current backup center (Bradley), leaving them with just Dwight Howard to play 48 minutes every game? Also why in the world would they sign Glen Robinson again? He didn’t contribute anything last season. Please use some common sense.
Just shut your mouth. We would still have Poirer and Embiid is only out for 2/3 weeks. Not to mention Tucker has played lots of minutes at centre and in small balk line ups your could also have Mike Scott or Simmons at centre.
Obviously Howard wouldn’t play 48 minutes at centre. Trading the teams 3rd choice centre isn’t that big of a deal.
As for Glen Robinson, why not sign him? Yes he wasn’t a big contributor that’s not why you’d bring him in. You’d throw him a deal cause he knows the system and knows the players. Meaning he could come in and know his role and not disrupt what we have going on. He’s a decent defender, decent shooter and decent iso scorer for a end of the bench wing.
If you really felt worried about the lack of depth at centre after this deal you could get someone from FA if you really wished. Bradley is very replaceable
With all the bitching that goes on by players who don’t make the All Star Game, maybe they think there are 50 man rosters …
Yeah, seems to be the new thing. I like Harris and while I don’t think he has been an All Star this year, he has been good enough to be in the conversation. Hopefully his play matches his talk, but we will see.
There is an old saying that goes: when you are good you need to tell other people how good you are…when you are great they will tell you how good you are.
Sixers biggest key is their TE (8.5 mill) and Danny Green. They can load up around their big 3. Shooters who play D , 2 way players would’ve nice. Even a stretch 4 can work like Bjelica.