Has the LeBron Effect Changed Embiid's Olympic Availability?

It appears that Team USA’s run at the World Cup inspired some of the NBA’s biggest stars to begin discussing their availability for the Olympics next summer.

On Monday, The Athletic reported that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is gearing up for a potential final run at the Olympic Games in Paris next year. James probably won’t be alone. According to the report, the two-time gold medalist has spoken to a handful of stars in an attempt to recruit them for next year’s run.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was mentioned as a target for Team USA as they look to put their best group together for next season. While USA and France have been eyeing Embiid for the past year since he obtained citizenship in both countries, the Sixers’ big man refused to reveal which team he would play for if he decided to take his game to an International stage during the summer.

Embiid has now gone two summers without suiting up beyond the NBA Playoffs. Will he make it three in a row next year? Or will Embiid make his Olympic debut? It’s been revealed that Team USA could prioritize persuading Embiid to do the latter while representing the NBA’s homeland.

“The prospect of persuading reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid to A.) play in an international tournament; and B.) do so for Team USA instead of Team France, remains in play.”

Embiid made sure to keep the discussions about International play at a minimum throughout the 2022-2023 NBA season. With his focus on the Sixers and their 2023 playoff run, Embiid didn’t want to cloud his vision as he was rolling on a successful MVP campaign.

Even after the Sixers’ season concluded in the second round, Embiid refused to reveal which way he was leaning in terms of International play. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, that remains the case to this day. Per Windhorst, Embiid has been “noncommittal in his plans.”

Recently, an NBA Insider at ESPN went as far as questioning whether Embiid would play for a National team at all. Considering the MVP-winning center has yet to commit to any team, that remains another option at this point in the process.

Ultimately, Embiid’s health will be key in his decision for next summer. Over the last few years, Embiid entered the offseason dealing with an injury. This past playoff run was no different, as Embiid was battling through a knee injury, which he suffered during Game 3 in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets.

In the event Embiid decides he would be open to playing in the Olympics, Team USA will make a strong push to have the league’s MVP represent the frontcourt.