Just weeks after receiving his second All-Star selection in three years, Sixers center Joel Embiid now has even more good news headed his way. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN:
Joel Embiid has now reached the minutes criteria in his contract for this season. As part of the $147.7 million rookie extension signed in 2017, Embiid had to reach the benchmark in three out of his first four seasons (including the last year of his rookie contract). The center reached the criteria in 2017-18. If Embiid plays 1650 minutes in 2019-20 or 2020-21, the remaining amount left on his contract will become protected. The final three years of the extension are $29.5M, $31.6M and $33.6M.
Embiid's unique contract protects the Sixers in case of injury. According to Spotrac, if Embiid had missed 25 or more games this season or played fewer than 1,650 minutes due to injury to his back or feet, Philadelphia could waive him this offseason and save more than $63 million of guaranteed money.
Failure to meet these criteria next season would allow the Sixers to save $49.5 million. The two seasons following, they could save $34.4 million and $18.3 million, respectively.
However, as Marks explains, if Embiid passes the 1650 minute threshold in either of the next two seasons, the entire contract will become guaranteed.
With Embiid's success, at this time it is increasingly unlikely the Sixers will ever even have to consider waiving him. The seven-foot center was drafted third overall out of the University of Kentucky in the 2014 draft. Since his debut for Philadelphia in October 2016, he has done nothing but impress.
This season, the 24-year-old is averaging 27.2 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists, all career-highs. For his career, he has averaged 23.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 143 games.
Philadelphia currently sits in a three-way tie for the third seed with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. Their star center will be crucial to their title hopes this year and in many to come.
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