The problem is The Process. More literally than we’d like. Joel Embiid’s fall from grace hasn’t been pretty or gradual. Injuries struck in his prime, when we all know there’s plenty left in him if he’s healthy. Now, he’s the looming question of the NBA. Is the off chance he’s healthy enough to play worth the investment, or should the Sixers cut their losses? Even a former teammate has lost his faith in Embiid, apparently.

The guys on the Lakers legend Robert Horry’s Big Shot Bob podcast were discussing the Kawhi Leonard contract situation once more. Horry claimed that players like Kawhi can command a lot more money in free agency than sticking to a losing situation with the Clippers. The caveat is if they’re healthy and on the court.

Horry implied that Leonard and Joel Embiid are comparable as athletes when he told his co-hosts that these players can command a nine-figure salary. “Yeah. I think so because think about all these guys, you think about what Embiid got. You think about, um, you know, he’s been injured. Even though he has an MVP under him, I just think that in this day and age with a talent like this, a game changer like this, you got to take that chance.”

In 2017, Embiid signed a $148 million deal with the 76ers with clauses for bonuses for All-Star or MVP selections. In 2021, he signed a four-year, $196 million extension again. And in 2024, while dealing with injuries, the Sixers gave him another $193 million extension. Referencing all the times the 76ers have gambled on Embiid, Horry believes he’s worth one more shot. “Philly did it twice. I know it might be just a Philly organization that does that because they did it on Paul George and Embiid, but I think there’s a lot of squads out there say, ‘Oh, hell no. We’re going to take that chance and throw that money out there.'”

His co-hosts kind of disagreed on the extent Philadelphia can keep investing in injured players like Embiid and Paul George with no timeline. The cracks are starting to show when even former teammates find it hard to ‘trust The Process.’

Former Sixers player raises doubts about Joel Embiid’s prospects

The 76ers started 2024-25 looking like title contenders. They ended the season severely depleted from injuries. The one that made them the top contender, Joel Embiid, who had a successful Olympic run with Team USA, just underwent knee surgery in April, his second in 14 months.

The Sixers have got the edge back with rookie VJ Edgecombe. Fans don’t want to dwell on the Embiid and PG dilemma. But the team showed that they are once again taking a chance on the Cameroonian when they posted a video of Embiid working out. He’s not wearing any kind of brace, and the team is hopeful he’ll be in shape for training camp.

Fans are not holding their breaths, though. Especially after what Furkan Korkmaz said. The guard played alongside Embiid with the Sixers and is currently playing with another NBA center in Eurobasket. Houston Rockets youngster Alperen Sengun is the standout of the Turkish squad. By leading Turkiye to a perfect 7-0 record before the semifinals, he’s proven that he can carry the team even without the young core of his NBA teammates.

Korkmaz is definitely impressed by Sengun. He didn’t stutter during a recent Eurobasket media scrum when he said, “Until now I thought Joel Embiid was the best big man I played with… But it’s Alperen Şengün now. Defensively and offensively, I think he’s a special kid.”

While NBA fans won’t necessarily put Sengun on the same plane as Embiid this soon, Korkmaz is the authority on this subject, having played alongside both centers. It’s also worth noting that Korkmaz kind of has a rift with the Sixers and repeatedly requested a trade from the team. He did end up with the Pacers in 2024 and was waived within a day.

Cheap Shot Rob has dealt with distrust in his skills until he’s come in clutch in seven crucial postseasons. So he’s got that faith in Embiid. Unfortunately, his seal of approval doesn’t mean much to Sixers fans.