Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers’ season ended in a sweep, and Embiid’s answer about what comes next created more buzz than the 144-114 defeat.
The 76ers were dismantled by the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, dropping Game 4 on their home floor.
How the NBA World Reacted to Joel Embiid’s Comments on His Future
When reporters pressed Embiid on what the Sixers’ roster would look like heading into 2026-27, the seven-time All-Star’s response opened a door nobody was expecting.
“Everybody else, I don’t know who’s gonna be here. I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but whatever happens, happens,” Embiid said. “But for me, I’m excited about really getting back to myself.”
Sports analyst and reporter Jeff Skversky was the one who clipped the moment and put it out on X. “‘I don’t even know if I’m going to be here’ Joel Embiid when talking about the Sixers future next season says he doesn’t know who will be on the 76ers including himself. ‘Whatever happens, happens.'”
“I don’t even know if I’m going to be here”
👀 Joel Embiid when talking about the Sixers future next season says he doesn’t know who will be on the 76ers including himself
“Whatever happens, happens”https://t.co/rqBufFmlcv pic.twitter.com/goUXjw4EhF
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) May 11, 2026
Further reactions came in waves, many aimed at the same thing: the contract.
Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million maximum contract extension with the 76ers in 2024. The deal kicks in this summer, and he is expected to earn $69 million in the final year.
His cap hits run $58.1 million in 2026-27, $62.7 million in 2027-28, and $67.4 million in 2028-29, per Spotrac.
Cory Nelson of the Lead SM didn’t sugarcoat it. “Bro, no one is taking on your huge contract when you on’t even play half the season. You’ll still be in Philly,” he wrote.
Bro, no one is taking on your huge contract when you don’t even play half the season. You’ll still be in Philly
— Cory Nelson (@CKenzyNelson) May 11, 2026
One user had a sarcastic take: “They’d probably rather he wasn’t, but good luck trading that contract.”
They’d probably rather he wasn’t but good luck trading that contract 😭 https://t.co/5jAYhWGqBg
— Parks (@24Dparks) May 11, 2026
Another user took a sentimental angle on what an exit would actually mean. “If Embiid leaves, the end of an era.”
If Embiid leaves, the end of an era 💔
— Devana💜 (@devana1125) May 11, 2026
Onyx Odds posted a meme captioning the moment, “The Process Era in Philly,” tying the line straight back to the franchise’s decade-long rebuild built around Embiid.
The Process Era in Philly pic.twitter.com/BQe5OI6iLq
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) May 11, 2026
Then there’s the availability problem. Embiid played 19 games in 2024-25 after dealing with persistent left knee issues that required surgery. He played 38 games this past regular season, working through ankle, oblique, hip, and knee issues along the way.
He underwent an emergency appendectomy on April 9 and returned to the court 17 days later to play Game 4 against Boston. He helped lead Philadelphia back from a 3-1 hole in the first round, the franchise’s first playoff series win over the Celtics since 1982.
By the time the second round rolled around, the right hip complications from that surgery had caught up with him.
He still played well when he was on the floor. In 38 games during the 2025-26 regular season, Embiid averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
