Joel Embiid will “take a step back” to share the Sixers’ scoring output

After an offseason filled with acquisitions that resulted in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey becoming the Sixers’ longest-tenured players, fans should expect to see even more of the team’s newest faces as the season approaches.

If Monday’s media day was an accurate indication, fans should also expect to see less of Embiid – sort of.

“My job this year and what I really want to focus on is empowering these guys,” Embiid said during the team’s annual media day at the team’s headquarters in Camden. “I will (take over) when I have to. If that means I need to score some points at some point, then I’ll do it, but most of the time I really want to focus on letting the game come to me. I think in previous years I had to (take over) because we didn’t necessarily have enough manpower to take a step back and (still) put us in a winning position, but I feel like this year with the guys we added (I can take a step back). “

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There’s already less of Embiid to see.

The Sixers center, who signed a three-year contract extension last month for a maximum of $192.9 million, said he lost about “25 to 30 pounds” in the offseason.

The weight loss and shift in focus appear to align with a text message Embiid sent to president of basketball operations Daryl Morey after the Sixers were eliminated in the playoffs by the New York Knicks last season.

“We have to do everything we can to make sure I’m healthy after the season,” recalled Embiid, who texted Morey. “So this year it’s about…whatever it takes to make sure I get to the playoffs and be ready because I think basically every year of my career I’ve been injured in the playoffs….”

Just last season, Embiid missed two months of the regular season after Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on Embiid’s left knee.

In the playoffs against the Knicks that same season, Embiid also revealed that he had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which caused migraines, blurred vision, and facial paralysis.

In previous seasons that included the playoffs, Embiid suffered a right orbital fracture, a torn ligament in his right thumb, a partially torn meniscus in his right knee and a left orbital fracture with an associated concussion.

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The additions of Paul George, Reggie Jackson and Caleb Martin could significantly reduce Embiid’s offensive load. The same will apply to the further promotion of Maxey, who in the summer agreed to a five-year contract extension with a maximum value of $204 million.

The Sixers also strengthened their frontcourt by adding backup center Andre Drummond, who has provided rebounding power for years.

“Listen,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said, “I think (Drummond is) a really talented guy. I think there’s more to it than just seeing him as a guy who has 10 defensive rebounds a game. I think he can do even more.”

Nurse also praised Drummond’s defensive tenacity and versatility.

Also joining the Sixers is Guerschon Yabusele, a power forward who rose to Olympic fame during France’s run to a silver medal in Paris.

Nurse said Yabusele would have a chance to “impact the rotation” as a power forward, but perhaps also as a center in a small-ball lineup.

With more frontcourt depth and overall more offensive firepower, Embiid’s role could change. For now, it seems fine to him, with one caveat.

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“Like I’ve said in the past, I felt like I had to (take over),” Embiid said. “This year I don’t think I’ll have to do it unless I have to. So I really have a lot of confidence in these guys that they will understand this and I will use myself as bait to let them be themselves and be good at what they do best.

He later added: “The Olympics were great fun. I finally won something. I finally made it to the conference finals and won something… Winning feels great. As long as we win, it doesn’t matter what role we take.”