Sixers Rumors: Embiid, Surgery, Richardson

Joel Embiid’s latest setback doesn’t signal the end of his career, writes Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders. Embiid is scheduled for a bone graft on his right foot Tuesday that is expected to wipe out his entire 2015/16 season. The third pick of the 2014 draft will go through his first two NBA seasons without stepping onto the court, but Hamilton argues that doesn’t mean the young center won’t ever rebound from the injury. With rookie Jahlil Okafor added to the Sixers’ frontcourt, Hamilton says the team can afford to take its time with Embiid’s rehab. He also contends the organization made the right move by selecting Embiid in 2014 despite the injury risk.

There’s more out of Philadelphia:

  • Embiid’s surgery was supposed to take place “in the next 7-10 days,” according to a July 11th press release issued by the Sixers, notes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. The team hasn’t explained what caused the delay or released where the procedure will occur, though a source who spoke with John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com said the holdup was partly because Embiid was still coming to grips with the need for a surgery and that he and his camp wanted more time to go over the situation and pick a surgeon. Moore also points out that Embiid’s recovery time was originally estimated at five to nine months after his June 2014 surgery, in which two screws were implanted into his navicular bone. Embiid was never able to return to game action or even participate in a five-on-five scrimmage.
  • Jason Richardson was open to re-signing in Philadelphia before committing to a new deal with Atlanta, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 34-year-old free agent is expected to sign a non-guaranteed deal with the Hawks on Monday. After missing two years with a cartilage tear in his left kneecap, Richardson returned late last season to play in 19 contests with the Sixers, averaging 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 21.9 minutes. “For me, [this season] gave me hope and determination to come back from the injury that I did without really any practice time,” Richardson said, “and to be on the court, that gave me a lot of hope for my future. I can play a few more years in this league.”
View Comments (0)