Joel Embiid’s return for Game 4 against the Boston Celtics was expected to be a massive boost for the Philadelphia 76ers, but the center’s double-double outing wasn’t enough to pull off a win.
The 76ers’ mainstay returned to action after missing less than three weeks following an emergency appendectomy. After the loss, some NBA observers argued that the 76ers were better without Embiid slowing down the offense. This has sparked conversations about Embiid’s future in Philadelphia, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is the latest to chime in.
Stephen A. Smith Pours Cold Water on Joel Embiid’s Trade Value
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith didn’t mince words when talking about the possibility of the 76ers moving on from Embiid.
“I don’t think you can get anything for him because he is always injured and nobody’s going to give up any real assets for him on one leg,” Smith said.
“I watched this brother average 35 in a playoff series against the Knicks a few years ago. I think that Embiid, if healthy, is one of the greatest big men to have ever played basketball. Unfortunately, he’s never healthy. He came into the league missing the first two years of his career due to injuries, literally the first two years of his career.”
“I don’t think you can get anything for [Joel Embiid] because he is always injured. Nobody is going to give up any real assets for him. … V.J. Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey are the future of this franchise.”@stephenasmith doesn’t believe in “The Process” anymore 👀 pic.twitter.com/LLbjAmjlNB
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 27, 2026
While the former MVP has been one of the more dominant stars when he’s on the floor, he has only played 90 games over the last three seasons, including just 38 games this year. Embiid’s contract also complicates matters, as he’s owed $59,539,018 next season, $64,302,139 in 2027-28, and $69,065,261 in 2028-29.
This was another injury-riddled season for Embiid, as he averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks per contest across 38 games. He missed the first three games of the postseason after he underwent an emergency appendectomy.
While the 76ers showed spunk and competed, led by their promising backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, Embiid popping in and out of the lineup all season made it hard for the team to build and sustain any momentum.
Embiid scored 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in Game 4, but it wasn’t enough as the Celtics earned a dominant 128-96 win to go 3-1 up in the series.
The center spoke about the uphill challenge after returning to action Sunday.
“It’s tough,” said Embiid, per ESPN. “It’s tough. But you try to do the best job possible with the conditions. Still got to go out there and try to play well and win a basketball game, and we didn’t do that tonight. We didn’t play well.”
Embiid’s return and solid showing might be the spark the 76ers need if they still intend to make a series after their disappointing loss. Regardless of what happens in this series, the 76ers may have some tough decisions to make this offseason when it comes to Embiid’s future and the direction of the organization.
