Joel Embiid working out improving, targeting Summer League return

The Sixers aren’t winning a lot, but Brett Brown is starting to build something (at least until GM Sam Hinkie makes another trade). Philadelphia has become a solid defensive team — with Nerlens Noel at its heart — plus there are guys like Robert Covington, who could be part of the future. But they still lack a franchise player.

That could be where Joel Embiid comes in.

The young center could be a cornerstone part of that future. However, he’s missed this entire season recovering from surgery to his right foot.

Recently he has been going through hard workouts with the coaching staff, often before games. It looks like we will see if that work has paid off come July at Summer League. That’s what coach Brown told Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com.

“You see him drenched in sweat and shirtless. They are all fantastic signs that his needle is clearly pointing in the right direction,” Brown said. “We are trying to set the stage for a great summer. He sees his reward being the summer league and trying to get ready for playing basketball again. He is headed in the right direction.”

Embiid starred with the soon-to-be Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins at Kansas, and he was considered the better long-term prospect by some scouts. He fell a little due to the foot injury, but the potential is still there.

Hopefully, we’ll get to see that at Summer League.