Joel Embiid has only played 13 out of a possible 39 games thus far and that number isn't going to increase for at least another 7-to-10 days as the Sixers will re-evaluate him then amid his knee troubles.

The center's contract becomes more of an albatross with every game he misses, every night that he happens to suit up and ends up hobbling from one end of the court to the other.

Joel Embiid's ongoing knee issues should alter the Sixers' strategy heading into the NBA trade deadline, as they now have far less incentive to make a win-now move.