The Philadelphia 76ers are having another terrible season, but there is some hope on the way, as top draft pick Joel Embiid is getting set to return to game action and he could be targeting the Summer League for his comeback from injuries after the season is over following surgery on his foot.
Embiid was taken at number three overall by the Sixers after his time with Kansas and while he has not played this season, the team sees him as a cornerstone part of the franchise. According to Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com, the team is aiming for the summer for Embiid to get into game action, with head coach Brett Brown saying that he is "headed in the right direction."
The Sixers traded away Michael Carter-Williams this season, but they have players like Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Robert Covington and there is a chance they could be competing in a few years with the right development. Embiid is a huge part of that, as many expected him to go number one overall before he ended up needing surgery on his foot.
Embiid has been able to take part in workouts with the team, but he has not been able to get into any game action yet this year. Embiid was able to get out of his walking boot earlier this month and with just a few weeks left of the regular season, the team is aiming for the summer for Embiid to get back into game shape. Embiid reportedly has been able to increase his workout time over the last couple weeks and that is promising as he tries to get onto the court.
The Sixers are currently 17-54 on the season and they are fourth in the Atlantic division ahead of the Knicks.
"You see him drenched in sweat and shirtless. They are all fantastic signs that his needle is clearly pointing in the right direction," Brown said to Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com. "We are trying to set the stage for a great summer. He sees his reward being the summer league and trying to get ready for playing basketball again. He is headed in the right direction."
