Joel Embiid has only featured in 13 of the 38 games that the Philadelphia 76ers have played this year.

76ers fans have had to endure a torrid season so far as they have had to witness their franchise stutter to a 15-24 record.

The miserable start has been compounded by the fact that fans have barely had an opportunity to watch their star-player in action.

Embiid’s career has been plagued by countless injuries as his team-mates repeatedly struggle in his absence – Philadelphia’s record without Embiid in the 23/24 campaign was a woeful 16-27, compared to 31-8 with him on the court.

Lack of transparency from the front office has disgruntled the fanbase. Nick Nurse played down injury fears in pre-season as he suggested the franchise-star was merely ‘ramping up’ for the season opener.

We are now already into January and we are still yet to see Joel play a meaningful run of games.

However, before I make my next statement, I must stress that this is not the ‘roast of Joel Embiid’. I have witnessed the former MVP continually put his body under tremendous stress, playing through injuries that would side-line the majority of athletes.

Case and point – Embiid returned to action just nine weeks after requiring major surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee. His commitment should not be questioned.

But how can a franchise continue to build on such unstable foundations that could breakdown at any given moment?

At what point does Daryl Morey have to initiate a total factory reset? Maybe, now is that dreaded time.

The Philadelphia 76ers have some intoxicating young talent in their ranks. Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Adem Bona and Justin Edwards have all showcased that they have the talents to become vital cogs for any head coach who is at the helm.

So, what is the issue? If there is already building blocks set in place, why does Morey not take action now and collects as many draft picks as possible?

Why would Philadelphia not want to follow in the footsteps of franchises such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets?

It seems that the general manager may have dug himself a hole that not even the alien himself, Victor Wembanyama, could scramble himself out of.

Despite all the injury woes, Embiid was handed an eye-watering contract that would see the Olympic gold-medallist earn a whopping $299.5 million by the time it expires at the end of the 2028/29 season.

With the introduction of the second-apron financial regulations, no one in their right-mind would even suggest picking up this contract in a trade deal – not even if it acquired the unworldly talents of the Cameroonian born super-star.

And just to cement Philadelphia’s problems even further, the franchise picked up the 34 year-old, Paul George, on a max contract – after finally putting an end to the Tobias Harris nightmare.

Stick or twist may not even be an option at this point for this inferior 76ers side.

History would suggest that Embiid’s misery may never end.

Daryl Morey has to create a new vision for the future before his head is slammed into the stocks – whether this includes Joel Embiid or not.