Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid Signs a Five-Year, $148-Million Extension With the Team
The Philadelphia 76ers have succeeded in locking Joel Embiid up for the long term.
The Sixers have announced that they have signed Embiid to a five-year contract extension. The team didn't disclose the financial details of the deal, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Embiid is receiving a $148-million contract, and he can earn as much as $178 million if he reaches the "super max" criteria.
"I'm so thrilled to be in this position. I want to thank ownership, management, the coaches and most of all the fans, for supporting me throughout this whole process. I love this city and I'm so, so, so, so excited to be spending my next five years here and hopefully the rest of my career, God willing. Trust 'The Process,'" Embiid said in a statement, via NBA.com.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Cameroonian center has the physical tools and skill set to develop into one of the best players in the league. However, his injury history is a cause for concern.
Embiid was the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, but he was ruled out of the entire 2014–15 season after he broke the navicular bone in his right foot. He also missed the entire 2015–16 campaign after he underwent a second surgery to repair the navicular bone in the same foot.
He averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game for the Sixers last season, but his official rookie campaign was cut short due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Embiid would appear in only 31 games.
Signing Embiid to a max extension is a very risky move. However, the Sixers clearly believe that it's a gamble worth taking.
"Joel is only scratching the surface, but he has all the potential and promise to go down as one of the all-time greats to wear a Sixers jersey," Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo said, according to NBA.com.
