Philadelphia 76ers GM Sam Hinkie: Joel Embiid out 5-8 months, not 4-6

Nov 30, 2013; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Kansas Jayhawks guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Joel Embiid (21) react after a score during the game against the UTEP Miners at the 2013 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The mystery surrounding the draft stock of former Kansas center Joel Embiid was not all that suspenseful during Thursday night’s NBA Draft as the 7-footer did not have a tremendous slide down the draft and went No. 3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Although, the initial time frame to recover from his surgically repaired foot after sustaining as stress fracture is much longer than the four-six month recovery period and according to 76ers general manager, Sam Hinkie, the player who has been compared to Hakeem Olajuwon won’t be ready for five-eight months, via CSN Philly:

"“Timeframe — I’ve seen reported some 4 to 6 months — that’s not the number that I’ve heard,” Hinkie said. “The number that I’ve heard from the surgeon himself was 5 to 8 months.”"

Based on this information it should not be a surprise if Embiid sits out the entire season as one of last year’s first round picks, Nerlens Noel, did as he recovered from a torn ACL during his time at Kentucky and a long-term and cautious approach will be their mindset.

"“Guess what our approach will be? We will focus on the long-term health of the player,” Hinkie said. “We’ve had this discussion before. … It is all that matters, the long-term health of the player. Will we be smart about that? Of course. Will we be thoughtful about that? I hope so. Will we be patient? Yes. We will give him every chance to be as healthy as he can be.”"

The 76ers are hoping the gamble pays off in the long run as they can afford to be patient with a young roster and build toward the future. If Embiid comes back healthy in 2015-2016 and looks like the player we saw during his one season at Kansas, the 76ers will have one of the best young front courts we’ve seen in a long time.

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