As Joel Embiid heads back to the table for his third knee surgery, the “will-he-won’t-he” rumors are beginning to fly. Especially since the Sixers have lost their star center and power forward for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
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And Magic Johnson is slap bang in the middle of all the speculation. As the rumor mills run hot over whether or not Philly will part ways with the 30-year-old Cameroonian, informed insiders in the sport suggest that the greatest point guard of all time will have a key role to play in the franchise’s decision.
If he had been fit, it would have been unthinkable that the Sixers would be parting ways with Embiid. After all, they had taken a massive bet on him just ahead of the ongoing season. Philly had extended their injury-prone star’s contract, guaranteeing a whopping $248.1 million over the next four seasons.
Losing him to injury for the bulk of a season is a massive blow. And with uncertainty clouding the future, speculation is rife that the team may pursue the medical retirement route with Embiid.
This will not only wipe off that humongous contract off their books, but will also allow them to rebuild with cap space.
NBA on ESPN recently discussed Philly’s predicament, with Stephen A. Smith arguing that Magic Johnson and consultant Bob Myers are playing a pivotal role behind the scenes. And the reason the champion duo’s names are doing the rounds is the connect they share with Josh Harris, co-owner and the managing partner of the Sixers.
Harris is also part of the ownership group of the Washington Commanders. Now, this is where Myers and Johnson come in. The former Warriors GM serves as a consultant for Harris’ NFL team. And Magic Johnson is a co-owner of the commanders, along with Harris.
According to Smith, Harris will definitely be leaning on the know-how of NBA champions like Myers and Johnson, to get a handle on the situation in Philly.
However, Myers, who was on ESPN’s panel during the discussion, has denied any secret involvement in the conversations. Smith understood where Myers was coming from, but didn’t buy the four-time NBA Champ’s claim regardless.
“He [Harris] has got Magic Johnson as a minority owner [of the Commanders]. He has a four-time champion [Myers] consulting him as well. That four-time champion was with the NBA, not the NFL. Magic Johnson is a five-time champion with the NBA, not the NFL… But no, he’s not going to talk to you about his team [76ers] that he owns in the NBA. Stop it. Just stop it,” Stephen A. said on ESPN.
Myers’ denial is understandable, since he wouldn’t want to be publicly involved in the Embiid situation. But Smith’s arguments do hold merit. Harris’ access to proven champions like Magic and Myers allows him the chance to get valuable insights on how to deal with the 76ers’ Embiid-sized headache.
After injuring his left knee in January 2024, the Cameroonian-American center had to undergo surgery. However, Embiid then insisted on suiting up for Team USA during the summer of 2024 and it has seemingly exacerbated the condition of his left knee.
The 2023 MVP reportedly had to take injections during his 19 appearances this season as he continued to deal with pain and swelling.
If Embiid doesn’t suit up for the Sixers before February 22, 2026 (one year after his last game), the franchise can have independent doctors examine his condition to potentially force him into medical retirement.
However, that particular scenario is still a year away from playing out. Which is why Harris might be more than keen to find a solution earlier than that — with a little help from two all-time greats who know the game inside out.
