Joel Embiid had a promising outing last season which is worthy of a hefty extension deal. However, the Philadelphia 76ers may be having doubts if they are going to give him that. The 23-year-old is currently one of their best players and is a rising star in the NBA, but his history with injuries is concerning.
Embiid entered the league as the third-overall pick of Philadelphia in the 2014 draft. Unfortunately, he sat out the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons because of a recurring right foot injury. Last season, he made his much-anticipated debut and was impressive despite having limited minutes.
Sadly in February, he again fell victim to the injury bug as he sustained a meniscus tear in his left knee. The health setback only allowed him to see action in 31 games. In those appearances, he averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks per contest.
There is a way for the 76ers to reward Embiid an extension but at the same time being financially wise. Basketball Insiders reported that there is a "growing sense" among league sources that Philadelphia is going to ink the Cameroonian to a contract, though it will earn him less than the max salary.
Still out
There is less than a month left before NBA teams begin their respective training camps and Embiid is still out. As mentioned, he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee late in the regular season that required surgery.
According to ESPN, the 76ers center is not yet given clearance to participate in any basketball-related activity. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, there will be progress, or else it will be deja vu for the team.
All-Star Embiid
Despite Embiid's battle with a few major health setbacks, the expectations for him are getting bigger.
One of them is being named an All-Star in 2018. Hoops Habit suggested that this is something he can do, especially if he can stay at a hundred percent and play in "at least 60 games."
Making it to the East's All-Star squad also became easier following a few blockbuster moves this offseason. Some of the prominent players in the East last season like Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and Paul Millsap are now part of Western Conference teams.
George got traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Chicago Bulls also dealt Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Millsap, on the other hand, signed with the Denver Nuggets, leaving the Atlanta Hawks after four seasons..
