Joel Embiid has been a stalwart of the Philadelphia 76ers for the last 10 years. He recently became one of the starters for Team USA that will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Embiid’s career seems to be on the rise, yet a Detroit Pistons legend advised him to leave the Olympic team.

The Kansas University product began his career on the wrong foot when an injury to the navicular bone in his right foot prevented him from playing his first two years with the Sixers. Since then, injuries have plagued the star center, who now has problems with a meniscus, which had to be operated on in 2016, and his back.

The call to the Olympic team seemed to be a blessing for Embiid. However, analysts and journalists have noted that the Sixers center appears bigger and slower on the court. This could lead to new injuries or worsen existing ones.

Given this uncertain outlook, former Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace believes Embiid should resign from the Olympic team to focus on the next NBA season. “In this world, an NBA title is more important than getting that gold medal,” said the former player.

Wallace is concerned about Embiid’s health

“He doesn’t look healthy,”Wallace said on the “Sheed & Tyler Show.” He emphasized that achieving the NBA championship should be the priority for Embiid and the Sixers. He even felt that the team should have rejected the call: “If I were the Sixers, I definitely would have protested.”

Analyzing Embiid’s performance in Team USA’s recent warm-up games, Wallace noted that Embiid“looks bigger and less agile on the court. The way he’s working across the paint, you can see that every step is a struggle.”

The Pistons legend warned that Embiid is taking an unnecessary risk. “He’s putting more pressure on his joints, and that’s a recipe for more injuries,” he explained.

Anthony Davis is the ideal replacement

Given Embiid’s potential health problems, some analysts have suggested that Anthony Davis, center for the Los Angeles Lakers, could replace the 76ers’ star player.

Although Embiid is the undisputed starter in head coach Steve Kerr’s scheme, Davis has had great performances coming off the bench.

In Monday night’s game against Germany, Embiid scored 15 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and had five assists. Davis, for his part, contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Neither Embiid, nor Kerr, nor the Sixers have commented on the player’s health. With the Olympic Games just around the corner, it seems unlikely there will be a change in the Olympic team roster. However, if there were to be a problem, it is very possible that we will see less of the star player in Paris 2024.