Joel Embiid's health could be the reason free agent LeBron James decides against signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Philadelphia 76ers are loaded with talented players, especially after trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown.
But when at full strength, none are better than Joel Embiid. The problem is throughout his career it's rare to see the 2023 MVP not struggling with some sort of injury.
This is what makes the acquisition of Brown even better, as Philadelphia will no longer need to heavily rely on Embiid, at least during the regular season. The addition of the former Boston Celtics superstar has also led to conversations about free agent LeBron James potentially signing with the 76ers.
The problem is NBA analyst David Dennis Jr. believes Embiid's health could cost the 76ers James.
"The only problem I have is that Embiid, that health, LeBron do you want to attach your last years to Embiid's health? Not sure about that," Dennis said on SportsCenter.
It's a valid point, as it's hard to imagine the 76ers battling their way through the Eastern Conference and winning the NBA Finals without Embiid on the floor.
However, what's different with Brown and potentially James in the mix is there would be no pressure on Embiid during the regular season. In the past, Embiid was needed as an offensive engine all the time for the 76ers, but that is no longer the case. In an ideal world, the 32-year-old could take a backseat role before stepping up when it matters most.
James was teammates with Embiid during the 2024 Paris Olympics, so he's well aware of what 'The Process' is capable of. Embiid, despite appearing in just 38 games last season, averaged 26.9 points on 48.9% shooting.
Would joining the 76ers be a bit of a gamble for James due to Embiid's availability concerns? Yes, but it's one he should strongly consider.
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