It is extension season for the 2014 NBA draft class, and one of the more fascinating storylines is that of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
According to a report by Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders on Wednesday, the Sixers may offer Embiid an extension similar to the four-year, $100 million one Giannis Antetokounmpo got from the Milwaukee Bucks last year.
More from Kyler:
League sources said recently there’s a growing sense the 76ers would indeed extend Embiid and that a deal structured something like Antetokounmpo’s four-year $100 million pact would make sense given the injury history. The problem with getting a deal done at less than max is that many in Embiid’s world believe he could get a max offer in restricted free agency next year, especially if he plays at the level he did for 31 games last season.
Embiid’s case is truly an enigma — his chronic injury risk goes without saying, but he’s nothing short of a transformative two-way monstrosity whenever he’s on the court. Kyler also notes that Embiid is eligible for a five-year max or up to $117 million over four years, so talks of an extension (something the Sixers have been vocal about their desire for) will be worth monitoring closely between now and the October 31 deadline.
