With a solid supporting team around him, Joel Embiid must prioritize staying healthy above all else for the Sixers to reach their objectives. Here’s the situation.

Joel Embiid had a busy summer. The Philadelphia 76ers star center won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in Paris, traveled globally as an ambassador for Africa to promote the sport and economic interests, and signed a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension, keeping him with the Sixers through the 2028-29 season. There’s even speculation he might be expecting another child, hinted at by Masai Ujiri’s recent comment. So, yes, a packed summer.

However, one area where Joel shouldn’t be as active is in the 2024-25 NBA regular season. For the Sixers to reach their goals, it’s crucial he takes a more measured approach. With Tyrese Maxey’s rise, Paul George’s addition, and a well-rounded roster crafted by Daryl Morey, this could be the best team Embiid has played with in his career—perhaps rivaling the 2019 squad that narrowly lost to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.

As a result, Joel Embiid shouldn’t need to carry as heavy a load as in past seasons. Last postseason already marked the shift toward Tyrese Maxey becoming the go-to option in clutch moments, and with Paul George stepping in to handle much of the playmaking, Embiid’s role will evolve. We can expect to see him more frequently positioned around the nail and the top of the key, with fewer instances of him absorbing punishment down low. While this might frustrate Shaq on *Inside the NBA*, it’s a smart strategy for Sixers fans who have watched Embiid’s body break down over time.

As always with Joel, everything hinges on his health, particularly ensuring he’s in peak condition come playoff time. Securing a top seed in the regular season won’t matter if the Sixers face another second-round exit due to Embiid playing at 60 percent.

With that in mind, Joel Embiid should completely avoid back-to-backs this season—seriously, not a single one. The Sixers have enough depth to remain competitive with their supporting cast and Andre Drummond grabbing 18 rebounds in 35 minutes on nights when Embiid rests. There’s no need to rush him back from minor injuries either. Taking an extra game off for a few more days of rest and ensuring he’s at 100 percent is the priority. While it’s admirable that Embiid always wants to be on the court with his teammates, those instincts need to take a backseat. If he plays more than 65 games this season, I’d honestly view it as a failure in terms of managing his load.

The Sixers have high expectations this season, and rightfully so. Boston is the clear favorite to repeat as champions, but beyond the Celtics, the competition is wide open. New York may have added Mikal Bridges, but they have major concerns at center with Mitchell Robinson injured and Isaiah Hartenstein gone in free agency. The chemistry between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is still unproven, and the Bucks’ bench lacks depth. Teams like Cleveland, Orlando, and Indiana don’t seem to have the top-tier talent or experience necessary to make a serious run this year.

The path is clear for the Sixers to finally reach the promised land—also known as the Eastern Conference Finals. And if they make it there with a relatively healthy Joel Embiid, I like their chances of achieving even greater success. For now, chasing scoring titles should be the last thing on his mind. It’s time for others to step up offensively while Embiid focuses on being a defensive anchor and, most importantly, staying healthy. While he can’t control freak accidents like a teammate’s elbow to the face, there’s plenty within his power to manage. To move forward, Joel must take a step back.