Report: Joel Embiid Will Have Second Surgery on Foot

It looking more likely that Sixers center Joel Embiid will not be playing in 2015-2016.

According to a report from Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey from the Philadelphia Inquirer,  Joel Embiid will undergo a second surgery on his foot, and he will likely miss the entire 2015-16 season.

The source told the paper that there is some concern in the Sixers front office that this latest surgery could be career threatening.

"I would say there’s a great possibility that Embiid won’t play next year," a source of the Philadelphia Inquirer said. "Just think how long they sat him when they thought he was healthy."

While Sixers GM Sam Hinkie was on NBA TV during the Sixers summer league game against the Jazz on Thursday night saying that a decision still hasn't been made regarding Embiid's foot - this news today doesn't come as much of a surprise.

"No change as of yet," Hinkie said on the broadcast. "A number of meetings are happening about that, even one today. But we have meetings almost every day about that. We don't have anything ready to announce."

Back on June 13th, the Sixers sent out a e-mail saying Embiid suffered a setback in the healing process in his right foot.   Hinkie said that a CT scan on Embiid's right foot "revealed less healing than anticipated at this point."

This could give have given the Sixers more of a reason to draft Jahlil Okafor, its possible in the back of their mind, they knew this was a possibility all along.

Update:  According to 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, Joel Embiid is expected to miss the entire 2015-16 season after he undergoes bone graft surgery on his right foot.

He will have bone graft surgery in the next 7-10 days.

The following is a statement from Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie: 

“As we previously communicated, we have spent the last several weeks working closely with Joel and his representatives to further evaluate Joel's foot following the results of the most recent CT scan. This included conference calls and in-person visits with renowned foot and ankle specialists from the United States (New York, North Carolina, Colorado, California and Pennsylvania) and internationally (Australia, the Netherlands and Qatar).  This group of experts unanimously agreed that the routine CT scan in June did reveal less healing than anticipated, an unexpected result since Joel was not experiencing any foot pain.

"We have been consistent in our philosophy that our focus will be Joel’s long-term health and wellness to ensure he will have a long and impactful career in the NBA. After receiving the input of the aforementioned medical experts, as well as conversations with Joel and his representatives, there was careful consideration given to a number of options related to this particular situation. A collective decision has been made that the best approach to promote full healing would be to proceed with a bone graft of the fracture site. We anticipate the procedure will take place in the next 7-10 days and result in Joel missing the upcoming season.

"We are still in the process of determining the doctor who will perform the procedure, which should be finalized in the coming days. Sixers Director of Performance Research and Development Dr. David T. Martin will outline and lead Joel's rehab and recovery plan, in collaboration with a worldwide network of experts and specialists.”