Joel Embiid has been the superstar of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise for almost a decade now, but he seems unable to stop getting injured. His knees are his biggest problem, and the severity of his problems that stem from them might force him to retire.

However, according to Chandler Parsons of Run It Back, he talked with Embiid, and says there might be a way to avoid major surgery. Embiid is thinking about following NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s footsteps, and getting shots in his knees in Germany.

Bryant did this procedure back in 2011, called Orthokine, when his right knee was failing him. Dave McMenamin, who wrote the article about Bryant’s procedure, explained what happened.

“Kobe’s procedure involves removing blood from the affected area and spinning it in a centrifuge,” McMenamin wrote. “Molecules that cause inflammatory responses are then removed to create a serum that is injected back into the affected area.”

For Bryant, this worked wonders. He was able to win an Olympic Gold Medal the next year, and played five more seasons in the NBA.

This treatment was a tune-up though, according to Bryant’s doctors, and needs to be maintained. This means if Embiid goes this route instead of surgery, he would have to travel to Germany every offseason to get the shot.

So, in the end, it’s up to Embiid. He either gets radical procedures that would put him out of commission for a season to fix his knee problems, or he gets shots once a year for the rest of his career. It’s only a matter of time till he makes his decision, and figures out how his career will go.

Joel Embiid has battled persistent injuries throughout his career, dating back to his college days at Kansas. Before even making his NBA debut, he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot, forcing him to miss his first two full seasons. Despite eventually becoming one of the league’s most dominant big men, Embiid’s health has remained a major concern, with knee, back, and foot issues frequently sidelining him.

Knee problems, in particular, have been a recurring issue for Embiid, affecting his availability in crucial moments. He has suffered multiple meniscus injuries, including a torn meniscus in the 2020-21 season that he played through during the playoffs. In the 2023-24 season, Embiid underwent surgery for another knee issue, raising concerns about his long-term durability. His physical playing style and heavy workload as the centerpiece of the Philadelphia 76ers further increase the risk of future setbacks.

Despite his injury history, Embiid has consistently performed at an elite level, winning the 2023 NBA MVP award and leading the Sixers to deep playoff runs. However, his struggles to stay on the court during the postseason have sparked discussions about potential changes to his training, conditioning, and even his long-term career trajectory. As he deals with yet another knee injury, Embiid may be considering unconventional solutions to extend his playing years and keep his championship hopes alive.