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.