Words by Jiggy Jones
THAT BOY JOJO GOT PAID! The Sixers and Joel Embiid have agreed to a 5 year $148 Million Dollar max extension! #TrustTheProcess pic.twitter.com/RG79RPY7T1
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) October 9, 2017
Did the Philadelphia 76ers make the right move? It is reported that center, Joel Embiid, signed a five-year maximum extension worth $146.5 million. This is one of the biggest gambles in 76ers franchise history. Embiid has only showed flashes of big man brilliance since entering the league. Flashes is a key word in this case. The former Kansas Jayhawk, has played only 31 regular season games out of a possible 246, since being drafted 3rd overall in the 2014 draft. His career has been plagued by injuries thus far, but has produced when he has stepped onto the court. In those 31 games, the 7’0″ big man, has averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Although extremely talented, the 23-year-old center, has yet to finish a complete season of basketball, dating back to his first and only year at Kansas. Many were baffled when they received word of Embiid’s contract. Why would an NBA team invest so much long term monetary value in an injury prone player?
Here’s the catch.
Embiid’s contract is 35 pages deep and filled with a plethora of details. You may want to take a seat for this one. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks, if Embiid suffers anything outside of his well-known back and foot injuries, the 76ers can waive him and keep a piece of that triple digit million dollar pie. Also, Embiid can earn as much as $176 million if he is voted MVP or earns first- team All NBA honors for this season.
Inside the details of 76ers center Joel Embiid's max contract extension. ESPN story reported with @BobbyMarks42: https://t.co/MakfUJZV3J
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 11, 2017
Embiid’s contract protects Philly from any financial woes if the big man does not pan out to be what they hope. It is high risk with high reward for both parties if he stays healthy. The future is promising for the Philly ballers, with a young talented core that includes 2016 and 2017 first overall picks, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. Everyone hopes for the best, but the reality is, the NBA is a business and injuries are a part of the game that Embiid has not been able to escape in his young professional career. Only time will tell of the outcome. Catch Embiid and 76ers kick off the regular season opener against John Wall and the Washington Wizards, next Wednesday, Oct 18.
