Joel Embiid spoke to the media for the first time since suffered a knee injury last month and confirmed he hopes to return to game action before the end of the regular season.

"That's the plan," Embiid said after Philadelphia practiced Thursday. "Obviously everything has to go right, as far as getting healthy and being as close as I'm supposed to be. But yeah, that's the plan."

Embiid was the frontrunner for MVP before the injury.

The team announced on Feb. 6 that Embiid had undergone a procedure "to address an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee" and that he would be reevaluated in four weeks, which is next Tuesday. 

Embiid said there is no timetable for his return, but he continues to feel good about his rehab.

Team USA has ramped up the selection process for this summer's Olympics in Paris. There are 11 players that the United States are counting on playing or are in strong consideration for a roster spot. The initial 11 are:

• Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat
• Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
• Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
• Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers
• Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns
• Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
• Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
• Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana Pacers
• Jrue Holiday - Boston Celtics
• LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
• Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

None of these players are considered absolute locks as of yet. But all 11 are under strong consideration and have mentioned interest in representing Team USA this summer, provided they are healthy enough to play.

Of that group, Booker, Curry, Durant, Embiid, Holiday, James and Tatum are considered to be the United States core group. Edwards and Haliburton are being considered after strong play at last summer's FIBA World Cup. Adebayo and Davis are garnering interest for additional frontcourt depth around Embiid.

Despite Joel Embiid still recovering from surgery to address a torn meniscus, Team USA is counting on the big man for this summer's Olympics in Paris. Embiid is still committed to playing in the games as well.

Embiid chose to represent the United States on the national team level this past fall. Embiid picked the United States over France and his native Cameroon, both of whom he was also eligible to play for.

The Philadelphia 76ers star had surgery in in early February to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Sixers are hopeful that Embiid will return in late March. If he can return and stay healthy through the playoffs, that should open the door for Embiid to join Team USA this summer.

Joel Embiid's return doesn't have a fixed timeline yet, but the Philadelphia 76ers are hoping he'll return before the end of the regular season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said there is "some hope" Embiid can return in late March. The Sixers believe that would give Embiid enough time to round into form ahead of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Wojnarowski also reported that Philadelphia is about a week away from getting a timeline on Embiid's eventual return.

The reigning MVP was injured on January 30 in a game against the Golden State Warriors. He's missed the 76ers last 12 games. During that stretch, Philadelphia has a 4-8 record.

The Philadelphia 76ers are planning to sign Darius Bazley to a 10-day contract, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Bazley is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds for the G League's Delaware Blue Coats.

The Philadelphia 76ers called the Los Angeles Lakers as to the availability of LeBron James via trade. Daryl Morey reportedly made this call after James cryptically posted an hourglass emoji in the days leading up to the deadline.

When the Lakers countered by asking about the availability of Joel Embiid, Morey turned his sites to the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers first asked about Kevin Durant, before inquiring about Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

Going after stars isn't a new tactic for Morey. He's known as one of the league's more aggressive executives in pursuing stars via trade. Morey going star-hunting at this deadline may give some insight into his offseason plans.

The 76ers are likely to hit the offseason with somewhere between $40 and $60 million in cap space. That could go a long way towards trading for a star to team Embiid and a re-sign Tyrese Maxey.

Kyle Lowry has reached a buyout agreement with the Charlotte Hornets. He's now set to join his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, after he clears waivers.

Lowry was traded to the Hornets from the Miami Heat ahead of the trade deadline. The veteran point guard and Charlotte agreed he wouldn't report to the team. When the Hornets couldn't re-trade Lowry, they worked a buyout agreement.

Lowry has long wanted to play for the Sixers. He grew up in Philadelphia and played his college ball at Villanova. Now, he'll get a chance to return home and to reunite with Nick Nurse, who was his coach with the Toronto Raptors.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons discussed trades ahead of the deadline. Philadelphia was interested in adding Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, but they weren't willing to trade Tobias Harris to do it.

Detroit's interest in reuniting with Harris has been rumored for a while now. The Pistons could pursue Harris when he becomes a free agent this summer.

The Sixers couldn't afford to give up Harris, as he's a key player for them, especially in the wake of Joel Embiid's knee surgery. Philadelphia could seek to work a new deal with Harris when he's a free agent this summer.

Bogdanovic and Burks were ultimately traded to the New York Knicks. The Pistons received Quentin Grimes, two second-round picks and a collection of matching salaries from the Knicks in the deal.

The Philadelphia 76ers plan on aggressively pursuing Paul George in free agency if he doesn't sign an extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, reports Chris Haynes.

George and the Clippers have held discussions and a deal is widely expected to be eventually reached. 

George is averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 33.8 minutes over 47 games this season.

George signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers in 2020 with a player option for 24-25. 

The Sixers made a number of moves that maintained their cap space for the 2024 offseason at the deadline. 

"That's his leverage," said Ramona Shelburne of Philadelphia. 

The Boston Celtics have agreed to acquire Jaden Springer from the Boston Celtics for a second round pick.

Springer is averaging 4.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.8 minutes over 32 games this season for the Sixers. 

Springer is signed through the 24-25 season.