Report: 76ers, Embiid agree to 5-year, $148M max extension
The Philadelphia 76ers have taken a $148-million gamble on a player who's played 31 games in three seasons.
Joel Embiid and the Sixers reached an agreement on a five-year, $148-million maximum rookie extension, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The contract could reach $178 million if Embiid meets certain performance criteria.
The extension will take effect in 2018 following the last year of Embiid's rookie-scale contract.
Related: Were Sixers wise to take $148M gamble on Joel Embiid? (Poll)
Embiid was a revelation in his rookie campaign with the Sixers. He was more than just a charismatic game-changing presence on both ends of the floor - Embiid's performances gave renewed hope to a franchise following years of tanking. His averages of 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks teased superstardom and gave tortured Sixers fans a light at the end of the tunnel.
However, this deal comes with significant risk. Foot injuries sidelined Embiid for the first two seasons of his career, and he couldn't even stay on the floor during his rookie year after being limited to 25 minutes a night while also being rested in back-to-backs. His season was ultimately cut short by knee surgery.
As it currently stands, Embiid's career total of 786 minutes represents roughly a quarter of the number of minutes that James Harden logged just last season alone.
Former Philadelphia general manager Sam Hinkie drafted Embiid third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.