Joel Embiid said he is feeling good heading into the 2026-27 season and wants to play as much as possible for the Philadelphia 76ers while managing his health throughout the year.
Speaking during 76ers media day on Monday, September 28, Embiid discussed his offseason, the arrival of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and his expectations for Philadelphia’s revamped roster.
Embiid said he focused on his family and getting himself mentally and physically ready during the summer.
“Summer was good. Had a great time with family obviously,” Embiid said. “First summer I didn’t have to worry about, you know, a lot of stuff. So just getting my mind right, my body right. Feel pretty good.”
Despite the attention surrounding James’ decision to join Philadelphia, Embiid said he did not personally recruit the six-time champion.
“As far as Bron, I didn’t talk to him. I didn’t recruit,” Embiid said.
Embiid said his health remains a major focus entering training camp. He wants to build toward his best form later in the season rather than peak too early.
“I’m good. Feel pretty good. Obviously got to build it up,” Embiid said. “Because you want to be at your peak in April, May.”
The 32-year-old center added that he wants to play as much as possible while following the plan established with the organization.
“I want to play as much as possible,” Embiid said. “We got a plan. The plan is to make sure I stay healthy and then be on my best when we get to that time.”
Embiid averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 38 games last season while shooting 48.9% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
He also discussed Philadelphia’s acquisition of Brown, who arrived from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George.
“I was excited,” Embiid said of the trade. “You’re getting a guy, first team All-NBA, the job he did all these years, especially last year, when JT was hurt was huge.”
Embiid highlighted Brown’s two-way impact and said that combination is difficult to find in the NBA.
“What it brings on the defensive end, offensive end, it’s hard to find that in the league,” Embiid said. “So to be able to add that, and then combine him with everything else he does on and off the court, I think he’s going to be good for the city of Philadelphia.”
Embiid also pushed back on the idea that previous attempts to build a championship roster around him had simply failed. He pointed instead to the time required for new groups to develop.
“I think to be able to win, it’s hard to win when you get a group of guys together for one year. Two years maybe,” Embiid said. “You got to be able to win. That’s why I’m extremely excited about this team because we got the right mix of veteran leadership and the younger guys and everybody being on the same page.”
Embiid said Philadelphia will have to learn from both wins and losses while building chemistry throughout the season.
“We just want to get as much time as possible with each other on and off the court,” he said. “Every single day, wins and losses, learn something from them and keep evolving.”
The 76ers finished 45-37 last season before being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. With James and Brown now joining Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the veteran center believes the team has the continuity and talent needed to continue building toward its goal.
“I feel like this year we have that,” Embiid said. “Ultimately we’re going to get there.”
