The Philadelphia 76ers rewarded cornerstone center Joel Embiid with a five-year, $148 million extension of his rookie-scale contract on Monday, despite only playing in 31 games last season after missing the first two years of his career with multiple injuries.
The 7-footer's talent was undeniable, showing just why trusting “The Process” was a worthwhile move by former general manager Sam Hinkie. But the red flags are still there, as Embiid has missed a whopping 215 of the 246 NBA games he could have played since being drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
“It’s very risky,” a Western Conference executive told Chris Mannix of The Vertical. “If he’s healthy, he’s worth it. If he isn’t, it could cripple them. But they were in a tough spot. If they didn’t give him the deal, he could hold it against them later. And the fans love him.”
Embiid has endeared himself to the Philly fan base and it's paid off in 148 million ways, becoming one of the most beloved and charismatic players in the league despite his scarce floor time during the last three years.
But his talent has spoken loudly last season, proving that his fundamentals are strong — a clear sign of his work with the coaching staff during his injury-plagued seasons.
“I know people think the center position is being phased out, but he can dominate on the inside and outside,” said the exec. “He changes the game on both ends of the floor.”
This signing commits nearly $30 million per year to one player, a move that can prove the ultimate vote of confidence or one that can result in many more years of underperforming for the Sixers.
Embiid's deal is said to include plenty of conditions based on his health, described to ESPN's Zach Lowe as “perhaps the most complex” in NBA history, due to the his injury history over his short three-year career with the team.
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