A nightmarish season for Joel Embiid and the 76ers has gone from bad to worse.
With limited options to treat ongoing issues with his left knee, Embiid has been shut down for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. After winning MVP of the 2022-23 season, Embiid has been snakebitten by injuries for two full seasons, something he has admitted to taking a mental toll.
Embiid, the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has nine seasons of NBA service and will turn 31 in March. Historically, there are various examples of big men who were forced into early retirement due to recurring injuries, most notably former No. 1 overall picks Brad Daugherty and Yao Ming, who retired at 28 and 30 years old, respectively.
Conversely, former No. 1 overall pick Bill Walton saw injuries force him to miss three full seasons during the prime of his career, but he redefined himself as a player and played his final game at 34.
Technological and medical advances have changed treatment over the years but Embiid’s frustrating recent history and age make it fair to ponder what, if anything, is next. Here is where the idea of retirement falls in that space.
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Will Joel Embiid retire?
Embiid has not indicated that he will retire after despite lingering knee injuries that likely will require surgery.
While it did not amount to anything, Embiid in 2017 admitted he “wanted to quit basketball” after missing his first two seasons with injury while also dealing with the devastation of personal loss.
He has taken a more introspective look at injuries in recent years.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Embiid explained that his recent meniscus injury put him in a bad place, saying “You’re on your way to accomplish a lot of good things, and then just like that someone falls on your knee. I don’t have any explanation for why it was so tough, but it just was … Mentally depressing, physically your body not responding the way it should.”
It is worth noting that Embiid recently signed a contract extension that keeps him in Philadelphia through at least the 2027-28 season.
MORE: How knee, foot and face issues have impacted Joel Embiid’s NBA career
How long is Joel Embiid out?
Embiid is out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, and possibly beyond.
The time Embiid misses is dependent on his response to surgery and the ensuing rehab process.
Joel Embiid injury history
Embiid has been plagued by injuries since joining the NBA. He missed his first two seasons after being drafted and his first season on the court was also cut short due to an injury.
Here is a complete list of significant injuries to impact Embiid:
| Season(s) | Injury |
| 2014-15, 2015-16 | Navicular bone fractures in right foot* |
| 2016-17 | Partially torn meniscus in left knee* |
| 2017-18 | Fractured left orbital bone, concussion |
| 2019-20 | Dislocated ring finger on left hand* |
| 2020-21 (Playoffs) | Partially torn meniscus in right knee |
| 2021-22 (Playoffs) | Torn ligament in right thumb* |
| 2021-22 (Playoffs) | Fractured right orbital bone, concussion |
| 2022-23 (Playoffs) | Grade 1 sprained LCL in right knee |
| 2023-24 | Torn lateral meniscus in left knee* |
| 2023-24 (Playoffs) | Bell’s Palsy diagnosis |
| 2024-25 | Left knee swelling, injury management* |
| 2024-25 | Sinus fracture |
| 2024-25 | Sprained left foot |
*Required surgery
MORE: How Joel Embiid injury impacts 76ers’ draft odds
Is Joel Embiid a Hall of Famer?
Basketball-Reference’s Hall of Fame probability tool gives Embiid a 66.2 percent chance of being enshrined.
For perspective, all eligible retired players with a probability over 60 percent have been enshrined into the Hall. Embiid’s in the same range as Hall of Fame big men Nate Thurmond (66.8%), Artis Gilmore (64.8%) and Walt Bellamy (64.2%).
Embiid’s career has been highlighted by seven All-Star selections, five All-NBA nods, three All-Defensive team nods, two scoring titles, an MVP win, and an Olympic gold medal. He has put forth a Hall of Fame resume in nine seasons.
Joel Embiid stats
2024-25 stats
- 19 games
- 23.8 points per game
- 8.2 rebounds per game
- 4.5 assists per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 0.9 blocks per game
- 3.3 turnovers per game
- 44.4 percent field goal shooting
- 29.9 percent 3-point shooting
- 88.2 percent free throw shooting
Career stats
- 452 games
- 27.7 points per game
- 11.0 rebounds per game
- 3.7 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 1.6 blocks per game
- 3.4 turnovers per game
- 50.1 percent field goal shooting
- 33.9 percent 3-point shooting
- 82.8 percent free throw shooting
Joel Embiid contract
In September 2024, Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension with a player option for the 2028-29 season. He is earning $51.4 million this season and will make $55.2 million during the final year of his current deal.
Embiid is owed over $248 million for the next four seasons, including the season with a player option.
All salary figures via Spotrac.
| Season | Salary | Age |
| 2024-25 | $51,415,938 | 30 |
| 2025-26 | $55,224,526 | 31 |
| 2026-27 | $59,539,200 | 32 |
| 2027-28 | $64,302,336 | 33 |
| 2028-29 | $69,065,472 (Player option) | 34 |
