In a Wide Open Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid Has to Be the Player Under The Most Pressure In the NBA Next Season

I don't think there is a single player in the NBA facing more pressure going into the 2025–26 season than Joel Embiid. After a disastrous campaign that saw Embiid only appear in 19 games, leading to the Philadelphia 76ers finishing 24-58 and 13th in the Eastern Conference, all eyes are now on their franchise centre to lead them back in the right direction. But he needs to be healthy.

The Sixers made headlines last summer when they landed Paul George in free agency, forming a new star duo with Embiid and hoping to build a championship core alongside Tyrese Maxey. On paper, it looked like the team had a real shot at making a deep playoff run. But injuries derailed everything. George and Embiid spent much of the season on the sidelines, and Philly never got rolling. After bringing in George to be a contender for years to come, it does feel like this season could be the team's last legit shot at making a run because of how weak the Eastern Conference could be next season due to injuries that happened in this past postseason.

Specifically, with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton expected to be out all season, which should knock the Celtics and Pacers out of the championship window next year. Also, because of Damian Lillard suffering the same injury, the Bucks had to make a desperation move to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo pleased with the franchise. Milwaukee waived and stretched Lillard to make room to bring in Myles Turner, but even with that, not many people really expect the Bucks to be a championship threat next year.

Suddenly, the East feels wide open. The path to the NBA Finals hasn’t been this accessible in years for teams such as the Hawks, Magic, Cavaliers, or yes, even the 76ers.

That’s what makes this upcoming season so crucial for Embiid. He’s had time to rest. He’ll have Paul George back. The Sixers also selected V. J. Edgecombe at third overall in the draft, which brings in even more young talent to their team alongside Maxey and Jared McCain. With so many of the conference’s top stars out, Embiid may be the second-best player in the East behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If Embiid is healthy and serious about carving out his legacy among the greatest big men to ever play the game, he needs to take the Sixers to the Finals. I simply don't think he has any excuses left that people will take seriously.

Will the Sixers be my pick to win the East? Maybe not. But if Embiid wants to rewrite the narrative and cement his place in NBA history, this is the season he has to do it.