Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

What is a medical retirement? How 76ers can file for a medical retirement for Joel Embiid?

According to Keith Smith, the Philadelphia 76ers can also file a petition for 'medical retirement' for Joel Embiid.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

After Philadelphia 76ers ruled Joel Embiid out for the remainder of the season, multiple conclusions have flown out. The franchise’s priority is to consult with experts and doctors for his healthy return.

However, the 76ers can also file a petition for ‘medical retirement’ for Joel Embiid, according to Keith Smith. Let’s look at the procedure and how does it imply on Joel Embiid.

76ers could petition for a ‘medical retirement’ for Joel Embiid if he’s unable to play a year from now, per @KeithSmithNBA

“At that point, an independent doctor selected by the NBA and NBPA would examine Embiid. If agreed he can no longer play, his remaining contract would be… pic.twitter.com/aXuCzLoNWy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 1, 2025

What is a medical treatment?

Medical retirement in the NBA happens when a player is forced to retire due to a career-ending injury or illness. The team applies for a Disabled Player Career-Ending Injury Exception, and an NBA-approved doctor must confirm the player cannot return. If approved, the team gets salary cap relief but the player still receives guaranteed money.

In a previous case, Chris Bosh medically retired after multiple blood clot issues. The doctors ruled it as a career-ending condition. The Miami Heat received salary cap relief and the NBA officially declared him ineligible to play.

How 76ers can file for an medical retirement for Joel Embiid?

According to Keith Smith, a team can file a petition for medical retirement one year after a player’s last game. In Joel Embiid’s case, the date would be February 22, 2026 and after that the 76ers can make their own decision based on results.

“At that point, an independent doctor selected by the NBA and NBPA would examine Embiid. If agreed he can no longer play, his remaining contract would be wiped off the books for the Sixers.” added Keith Smith.

However, Smith also shares that a player can return to his former team if he’s able to recover and is under contract. In a case where the player’s contract is over, the player will return to the free-agency.

They return back to their team and their salary is reinstated, assuming there were years left on the contract.

The player still gets paid. The contract just comes off the cap sheet.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 1, 2025

Joel Embiid

NBA 2024-25

Philadelphia 76ers

Suryansh Kumar

NBA/WNBA Writer

nba

wnba

Hello, my name is Suryansh, and I write NBA/WNBA content for ThePlayoffs. I love sports, which is why I write and I love the NBA because of the stats. My aim is to find unique stats and perspectives to provide my readers with another angle on sports.