Joel Embiid has gone viral in recent days after he was spotted playing basketball at local South Philadelphia basketball courts over the last few days. However, if Embiid suffers an injury while playing on streetball, it could result in him losing out on serious money, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Embiid signed a maximum-salary, five-year contract extension with the Sixers last October, one year after a strong showing as a rookie. The 2018 All-Star, however, would risk having part of the deal — which kicks in next season — voided if he suffers a major injury. Pompey notes that Embiid will receive his full pay if he plays at least 1,650 regular season minutes for three consecutive seasons.
Injuries outside the organization’s jurisdiction is always a concern, but in Embiid’s case, injuries in general are an issue. The Cameroon native missed his first two NBA seasons after being drafted third overall in 2014. Embiid then played in just 31 games as a rookie due to injury.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes:
- After a strong regular season and solid performance in the postseason, the Sixers‘ mix of young talent and cap space makes them a popular destination in free agency. Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Sixers head coach Brett Brown‘s mindset when it comes to free agency differs from president Bryan Colangelo.
- A Wednesday report suggested that the Celtics might consider moving up in the draft with their sights set on Texas big man Mohamed Bamba. However, a league source who spoke to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald dismissed that idea. “Don’t waste your time on that one,” the source said.
- The infamous 2013 trade between the Celtics and Nets that sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to Brooklyn has had disastrous effects on the Nets, specifically related to draft picks. Michael Scotto of The Athletic (subscription required) revisited that trade and the impact that deal is still having on both franchises nearly five years later.
Nets need Allen to develop and Russell to take the next step. If they can get RJ Barrett in the 2019 Draft they can become quite formidable.
All big ifs. That trade was possibly the worst trade ever…but at least Billy King will have another former Sixers GM that will never get hired to run another front office again to get coffee with soon.
So long as they have their 2019 pick they’ll be fine. Allen will come back way better and could possibly be a 16 and 10 big next season, Russell if he dedicates himself to getting healthy and maturing could be amazing as well. Several prospects in the coming draft the Nets could look at, as it stands they need a star forward and Williamson,Barrett, and Reddish are 5 star prospects and have all-star potential so we’ll see.
Nets wont be near bad enough to get Barrett
Lol from 27 to 4 or 5 to get Bamba? Why not go for Ayton if you’re going to do that. Rozier and Kyrie are up at the same time. Decide who you like best, Rozier will be cheaper, I’d Deal Kyrie + 27 + ? for Ayton at this point. But only after I worked out an extension with Rozier at least the framework.
Totally agree, just go big & definitely send Kyrie with #27 + next years Sac pick & get Ayton, then Boston would be scary man.
Although Kyrie on the Suns would be a treat that backcourt would be absolutely atrocious defensively between Booker and Kyrie. No athleticism and no length, sorry.
No way Phoenix would do that trade unless Kyrie agreed to an extension first. The #1 pick is way more valuable (to most teams, especially Phoenix) than the 27th pick, a potential lottery pick next year, and one guaranteed year of Kyrie. Phoenix needs another star player next to Booker who they can build around. No guarantee that the Sacramento pick turns into a star player and with Kyrie having the ability to walk after a year, he doesn’t fit their current needs either.
In regards to Bamba speculation, I doubt Boston has enough to move up that high unless they’re willing to part with 3 or 4 first round picks (the alternative would probably be one or two first rounders, the 27th this year and probably the Sacramento pick, in addition to Kyrie or Rozier depending on who Boston values more). The 27th and the Sacramento pick wouldn’t be enough on its own because the Sacramento pick could be worse than a top 5 pick next year. The top 10 prospects all looking promising so its not like its a Ayton/Doncic/Bagley or bust type of draft.
I just can’t see Kyrie and Booker in the same backcourt. Yes offensively it would be dynamic but my god the defense would be atrocious. The Celtics certainly lacked a closer Game 7 but with the way Tatum looked Boston might look to build around him and use Irving and those picks to get a game changing center.
I would say Kyrie to Orlando for the 6th pick but Bamba probably doesn’t drop that low.
Ayton is the best pure 5 in the draft that can score. The others are tweeners and Bamba is d only.