Sixers news: Joel Embiid agrees to 5-year, $148 million extension

The Philadelphia 76ers agree to a rookie max contract extension with promising center Joel Embiid for five years and $148 million.

Philadelphia 76ers second-year center Joel Embiid has agreed to a five-year, $148 million max extension of his rookie-scale deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

This new sum will allow Embiid to earn as much as $178 million if he meets the super max criteria over course of deal, which contains approximately a 50 percent guarantee, which can now trigger a potential full super max extension by the end of his new deal, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

Embiid's $25.3 million salary in the upcoming 2018-19 season will rank third among NBA centers. Only Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons are slated to earn more, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.

Joel Embiid — *Mitchell Leff/Getty Images*

This extension will solidify the Sixers' intentions of making him one of the cornerstones of the team — showing just enough promise over 31 games played last season, sporting averages of 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks on his rookie season.

According to league sources, this deal will include some salary cap protection for the 76ers should Embiid sustain injury that could cause him to miss significant playing time.

Embiid has grown into one of the most popular players during his short time in the league, ranging from his social media adventures to his often-hysterical quotes and dances during interviews.

The 7-footer missed the latter part of the 2016-17 season with a knee injury, which has still kept him in recovery mode, as the team has been cautious with his impending return to the court.

Embiid practiced fully over the weekend after making five-on-five drills in practice at the end of the week, but has yet to make his preseason debut with the team.

The Cameroonian was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas, forced to sit out his first two seasons after injury complications. His two-year wait, along with his triumphant return to the court have coined a Philly favorite motto of “Trust The Process” — one which he shared with former general manager Sam Hinkie.