Joel Embiid has shown what he can do but for a limited time. Since being drafted, the Philadelphia 76ers were aware that they took in a player with plenty of potential. The only problem is that he has been beseeched by injuries.
Ideally, being injury-prone would make any team think twice before dangling a max contract. According to the Bleacher Report, that angle was factored in. Hence, there is a salary-cap protection included in the deal in the event that the Cameroonian suffers another major setback moving forward.
Big bucks if Embiid stays healthy
The five-year deal is worth a whopping $148 million though Embiid could earn higher. Termed as “The Super Max,” the Kansas product could earn a higher percentage of the salary cap and more if he meets the criteria over the course of the deal according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. If things turn out well, the numbers could reach as high as $178 million.
So far, Embiid has played a total of 31 games, all in the 2016-17 NBA season. Despite his limited appearance, the Cameroonian showed what he could do when healthy. He averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebound and 2.5 blocks in that span. Stretching things a bit, Embiid could be a monster of a player if he played on a regular basis.
Better days ahead for Philly?
If Embiid can stay healthy, the Sixers can be a force to reckon with. They have a fleet of young players destined to become NBA greats. Aside from Embiid, there is Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric. If these players manage to take the floor at the same time, Philly may finally get the monkey off its back and give other teams stiff competition.
Experience may be a problem though NBA vets like J.J. Reddick and Jerryd Bayless can guide the young guns. The Sixers last won an NBA title in 1983 with the likes of Julius Erving, the late Moses Malone and Maurice Cheeks. The closest they got was reaching the finals in 2001 with Allen Iverson leading the charge.
Right now, the modest target would be to reach the playoffs.
The Sixers have been performing badly the past years and are looking for a breakout season. Could that be this 2017-18 NBA season?
It is a long shot but the Sixers need to start somewhere. Coach Brett Brown will be pressed to bring out the best out of his team. Winning is the prerogative, a tall order if most of the young faces remain in sickbay.
Simmons is back in harness and has been showing potential. For Embiid, staying healthy for the long grind is important. Putting up impressive numbers is eye-popping but useless if he suits up only for a limited time.
