The NBA season nears, and the Philadelphia 76ers are rolling out their preseason in Abu Dhabi, with Joel Embiid squarely in the spotlight. A team montage shows Embiid in the low post and stepping into a pull-up, a reminder of the Gasol-to-Green era-like versatility he's trusted to provide. Fantasy managers should watch health status closely; Embiid battled left knee swelling last year, missing time before the end of the campaign. His left-knee management could influence load and minutes early on.

Last season’s 23.8 points, 4.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds across 19 games underline the ceiling when he’s on; but health uncertainty is real. If Embiid is limited, the Sixers will lean on scoring efficiency and rebounding from him, with the Oct. 2 preseason opener against New York offering an early read on pace, burst, and post-up efficiency. The left-shoulder hotspot on shot charts hints at where his scoring excels when fully healthy. Fantasy players should weigh the upside against the knee risk, especially in early drafts.

Joel Embiid is back in the gym without a knee brace, fueling optimism after a shortened 2024-25 season and April left-knee surgery. A cautious ramp is expected as training camp approaches, with opening night in Boston hanging in the balance for his workload and fantasy value.

If he stays on track, Embiid could re-emerge as a fantasy anchor, but managers will need to watch ramp speed, minutes, and rest planning as Philly gauges the knee's rehab before Oct. 22.

Philadelphia targets a bounce-back season with Embiid and George healthy, while Maxey enters a pivotal development year. Morey added youth to weather an 82-game grind as Philly eyes a wide-open East and a playoff push, despite +4000 title odds from FanDuel. The Sixers’ fate hinges on health and depth, with rookies stepping up to support a veteran core.

Key factors: Embiid’s dominance, George’s versatility, and Maxey’s growth. If health cooperates, Philly could surge in a conference that looks vulnerable, provided the new pieces mesh and the bench can absorb the load when needed.