The Sunday night 144–114 loss to the New York Knicks marked the sixth time Joel Embiid has been eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. The search for an NBA Finals appearance continues for the Philadelphia 76ers after a decade with the Cameroonian star center. Last season, they once again ran back their Big 3 with Maxey and George. But will they do it next season?

“I love Philly. I’ve been here my whole career. A lot has happened. We haven’t won,” he said.

The Process remained excited for the offseason, as he looks to focus on his game rather than spend time rehabbing:

“Going into the summer, having a chance to be more prepared with everything bodywise, and you know, my game.”

Embiid also praised his teammates for stepping up in the regular and postseason games. But it ended with a question mark as the future remains unclear.

“Tyrese is going to be better, and he’s taking a step every single year. PG that we saw the last couple of weeks, you know, he still got it. And then everybody else. I don’t know who’s going to be here. I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but you know, whatever happens, happens,” he added.

Even Joel Embiid is unsure about his and the Big 3’s return next year. Last season, they played just 15 games together, and yet the franchise trusted them for one more go. Against the odds, they beat the Celtics in Round 1 but had no answer for the Knicks in Round 2.

PG is on a four-year, $211.6 million deal signed two offseasons ago. George saved his absolute best for the playoffs after returning from his 25-game suspension. But the Sixers will be paying Embiid and George $111 million next season, with no guarantee that either will remain healthy for the regular season and playoffs. They gave up Jared McCain at the deadline to save on luxury tax, as they viewed him as expendable after Quentin Grimes and rookie VJ Edgecombe. Keeping the latter was the right move, but the former hasn’t shown up in the postseason.

Grimes has averaged just 6.0 points in the playoffs this year, putting extra pressure on Maxey. Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be unrestricted free agents, further raising questions about their availability. But the bigger question still remains: whether the franchise should look beyond Embiid.

Former Sixers believe they should trade Joel Embiid

The Process has three years remaining on his current contract with Philadelphia, including a $67 million player option for the 2028-29 season. Former NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams, who spent time with Embiid in Philadelphia, suggested that trading Embiid would help them with pieces that will be key for rebuilding around Maxey and Edgecombe.

“I think it’s almost getting to that point,” Carter-Williams said on FanDuel’s Run It Back. “They have young guys that are really good. It’s not like if you trade [Embiid] and you get some pieces, you have to start from ground zero. You’re still in the mix with the guys that you have right now. So I think it’s getting close that they look for that option, because I think people are still like, ‘OK, when he does play, he can hoop.’ There’s still some value there.”

Another report called for the Sixers to trade for two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale added that it could mean losing either Paul George or Joel Embiid in the trade as well.

After another early playoff exit, the uncertainty around Joel Embiid’s future only adds to the pressure facing the Philadelphia 76ers. Whether this becomes a turning point or just another offseason of questions will depend on how the organization responds in the weeks ahead.