No more! MVP out for the play-in tournament! The league's most expensive poison contract

Breaking news king Shams:Embiid is expected to miss the play-in games, as he remains in the very early stages of recovery from appendicitis.

In this season's regular season, Philadelphia ranked seventh in the East with 45 wins and 37 losses, and will face the eighth-ranked Magic in a play-in game. Winning would secure the 7th seed for the playoffs; losing would allow them to play another play-in game against the winner between the ninth and tenth seeds in the East, competing for the 8th seed playoff spot.

Since winning the MVP in the 22-23 season, Embiid's physical condition has plummeted, suffering from various injuries. Over the past three seasons, he has only played 96 regular-season games combined, with 38 games this season, averaging 31.5 minutes per game, contributing 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 48.9%.

With Embiid, the interior core, absent, Philadelphia's two chances in this year's play-in tournament might still lead to elimination, though it's still better than last season (24-58, 13th in the East, missing the play-in).

Embiid's current contract runs until 2029, with this season's salary at $55.22 million, and the following three seasons totaling approximately $1.9 billion, averaging about $63 million per year.This is arguably the most expensive bad contract in the entire NBA. Given his fragility and massive contract, it holds no trade value and is even a negative asset, completely stuck in Philadelphia's hands.

For three years, Philadelphia must endure Embiid for three more years. The management likely has already cried themselves out in the bathroom, then must maintain composure publicly.

Do not expect Embiid's physical condition to miraculously improve. He is already 32 years old, and the risk of injury increases with age, especially with his extremely fragile knees. It wouldn't be surprising if he misses an entire season in the future.

It's worth noting that recently, American media Hoop Central listed Embiid's injury history before or during the playoffs:

2018: orbital fracture + concussion;

2019: knee tendinitis + illness;

2020: special circumstances;

2021: torn meniscus;

2022: orbital fracture + concussion + torn thumb ligament;

2023: lateral collateral ligament sprain in the knee;

2024: facial paralysis (Bell's palsy);

2026: appendicitis.

......