Sixers ‘Focused’ On Extension For Joel Embiid

One of the Sixers’ offseason priorities will be a contract extension for center Joel Embiid, relays Tom Moore of The Bucks County Courier Times.

Josh Harris, the team’s managing owner, addressed the topic after Friday’s news conference to introduce Philadelphia’s four new draftees. He said the front office is “focused on it.”

“Look, I’d just say we want Joel to be on the team for a long time,” Harris told reporters. “We want us all to grow old together. That’s the way I would put it.”

After missing his first two seasons with injuries, Embiid made a huge impact in limited time this year. Although he played just 31 games, and averaged 25.4 minutes per night, Embiid gave the Sixers 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He is one of three finalists for Rookie of the Year honors.

Heading into his fourth professional season, Embiid will be eligible for an extension to his rookie contract from July 1st until the day before the Sixers’ season opener in October. The extension would take effect in 2018/19 and could be worth up to $130MM over five years or $100MM for four years.
If an extension can’t be worked out, Philadelphia could make Embiid a restricted free agent next summer by submitting a qualifying offer of $8MM. That means the Sixers could match any offer he receives from another team.
Moore notes that Embiid refused to answer a question last month about his interest in an extension.
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