Report: Sixers' Joel Embiid may not be ready for start of 2015-16 season
A recent scan on Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid revealed "less healing than anticipated at this point" on his right foot, the team announced on Saturday.
Embiid, the third pick in the 2014 NBA draft, missed his rookie season after having surgery to repair a stress fracture days before the draft and could reportedly miss the start of the 2015-16 season.
Coach Brett Brown had said Embiid would play in summer league this year, but the setback calls into question whether he'll be available. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported on Saturday that the Sixers are still consulting with doctors on how to proceed.
A series of subsequent reports have presented conflicting information about Embiid's return to the court.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirerreported that Embiid may not be ready for the start of the season and that there's a "legitimate chance" he could miss the entire season.
WPVI-TV's Jeff Skversky reported that Embiid will not require a second surgery, but a separate report from CSNPhilly's Dei Lynam said surgery is "still being discussed."
Embiid, 21, played one season at Kansas and averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. The 7'0", 250-pound center missed the final six games of the 2013–2014 season, including the NCAA tournament, due to a stress fracture in his back.
The 76ers will have the third pick in the June 25 NBA draft after finishing 18–64, second-worst in the Eastern Conference.
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