76ers star center Joel Embiid was the face of the team this season, and after signing an extension with Philadelphia. Embiid will be the face of the franchise for years to come.
The 76ers announced today that Embiid and the team had agreed to a multiyear contract extension. According to ESPN, the contract, which Embiid negotiated without an agent and will begin in the 2023-24 season, is a four-year(last season player option) supermax contract worth $196 million.
“Joel is the definition of elite – a role model in our community and a true MVP-caliber superstar on the court,” said Philadelphia 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris said in press release from the team. “Since he was drafted in 2014, his rare blend of skills, charisma, and leadership has transformed this franchise. We couldn’t be more grateful and excited to continue watching him in a 76ers uniform.”
In his fifth season, Embiid, 27, averaged a career-best 28.5 points per game to go along with 10.6 rebounds per contest, which resulted in his fourth-consecutive All-Star Game selection as a starter.
Last season, Embiid was an All-NBA Second Team selection and finished second in the MVP voting, making him eligible for a supermax extension. In addition, Embiid was All-Defensive Second Team.
Going forward, the key for the number three overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft is health. Over the last four years, Embiid has averaged 57 games a season and has not played more than 64 games in a season.
In the playoffs this season, he battled a torn meniscus, and his last extension with Philadelphia, which he signed in 2017(five-years, $148 million), Embiid had provisions in the contract that protected 76ers from catastrophic injury to his feet or back. This contract does not have those provisions, according to ESPN.
If Embiid can stay healthy, he has a chance to be an all-time great. This season, he was a different player. He seemed to be in better shape and committed to being the best player he can be. Hopefully, after getting another extension, he will keep that same commitment.
