The vibes are all good for the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of media day ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season.
Not only is the star center Joel Embiid in attendance and ready to fire up his extension at last, but one NBA insider shared a sneak peek at what Embiid's frame looks like these days. Social media is buzzing over Embiid "dropping weight" and looking to be in "excellent shape."
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has dropped a considerable amount of weight. pic.twitter.com/Of1rI0aZS6
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 28, 2026
However, the 76ers' official training camp announcement doesn't reflect that.
Looks can be deceiving
When the 76ers announced their training camp roster in 2025, Embiid's weight was listed at 270 pounds. When the team announced the 2026-2027 training camp roster on Monday morning, Embiid's weight was announced as exactly the same. The only thing that changed was an added year as a pro in the NBA.
Considering Embiid looks noticeably different, there is a strong chance he'll get asked about it during his first media availability of the year. Don't guarantee you'll get an honest answer from the self-proclaimed troll, though.
Joel Embiid's weight matters--but it's not everything
Slimming down can obviously help Embiid find consistent health throughout a season, but the veteran center's injury-prone label will be around no matter what.
At this point, expecting Embiid to get close to turning in a full 82-game season is a pipe dream. That's OK. The 76ers don't need Embiid to play every game, but they absolutely need to find consistency with his health so they can solve any chemistry concerns before making it to the playoffs.
Getting in the best shape possible is a major step for Embiid, but this isn't a new occurrence. When Embiid started putting a major focus on his diet and conditioning in 2020-2021, he was able to play in at least 50-60 games while competing for an MVP title.
Unfortunately, the knee injury he suffered in 2023-2024 derailed his progress over the next few seasons. Since that 39-game effort in 2023-2024, Embiid has appeared in just 57 games over the past two seasons. He was believed to be healed and in great shape last offseason, but he played in just 38 games. While the knee wasn't the primary reason behind all of those absences, it played a part. The star center dealt with concerns elsewhere.
The Sixers made moves this offseason that can help them prevent over-relying on Embiid. Obviously, the hope is that an in-shape and healthy Embiid contributes plenty in the regular season, but history says that expectations have to be in check.
