Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal has made a bold forecast for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, declaring the star will overtake Nikola Jokic as the league’s top big man during the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
O’Neal offered the guarantee while discussing the Sixers’ aggressive offseason moves, which included the additions of perennial All-Stars Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
“For Joel, it’s time for him to step up,” O’Neal said on the “Stephen A. Smith Show.”
He went further in outlining his expectations for Embiid’s performance.
“I tell you what, I’m calling it out now. He’s going to be healthy this year. Joel Embiid is going to dominate this year,” O’Neal said. “You heard it here first. Joel Embiid will be the best big man in the league. He’s passing up the Joker this year. He’s going to work this year.”
The prediction stands out given Embiid’s recent injury history. The Cameroon native has struggled to stay on the floor, appearing in no more than 39 contests in any season since capturing MVP honors in 2022-23.
Across the past three campaigns, Embiid has suited up for just 96 of the Sixers’ 246 regular-season games amid a series of ailments.
Encouraging signs have emerged regarding his physical condition ahead of the new season. Embiid avoided offseason surgery for the first time in two years after concluding last season in relatively solid shape.
He sat out the opening stretch of the Boston Celtics series due to appendicitis but returned to play nearly the full four-game set against the New York Knicks, missing only Game 2 because of a right ankle sprain.
Agent Rich Paul highlighted Embiid’s improved status as a factor in James’ decision to join the franchise.
“From my understanding, Embiid is doing a hell of a job this summer,” Paul said. “It’s the first summer he’s actually been healthy. Not having some type of surgery over the summer, which is always good.”
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that James initially held concerns about Embiid’s durability but received reassurance through direct talks.
“James has long admired Embiid’s talent and basketball IQ, sources close to him said. But like many in the league, he had questions about Embiid’s durability,” she wrote.
“Embiid had extensive and meaningful conversations with James during the recruiting process…. Only James and Embiid know exactly what was said during their conversations this month, but clearly Embiid said the right things when it came to his health and how they’ll both manage the pressure that comes with forming a superteam.”
Despite limited action in 38 games last season, Embiid delivered familiar production with averages of 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 49 percent from the field.
Those numbers underscored his continued ability to control games whenever available, fueling optimism around the Sixers’ rebuilt roster for the season ahead.
