To Max or Not to Max: Should the 76ers max Joel Embiid?

Pro #2 His Personality fits the team

Joel Embiid wants to be a life-long Sixer. He loves Philadelphia and the city has turned him into the most lovable star since Julius Erving. He has turned The Process into a nickname and a way of life.

He has inspired hope into one of the most pessimistic sports cities. During the Andy Reid Era, we knew in our hearts that we would never win a Super Bowl and were proven correctly. During the Iverson era, we expected to be disappointed in the post season and were. With Embiid, the city expects a future title contender for the first time since the early 1980s. The city has never had a team that has made us excited for the future ever.

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Embiid’s fun loving personality has fit this young team well. His “battles” with Ben Simmons in video games has become the stuff of legends. His friendship with T.J.McConnell has made the Sixers fan base smile. When T.J. hit the game winner against the Knicks, Embiid sprinted to be the first player to congratulate him.

Embiid has created one of the most positive, fun Sixers teams ever. He has made everyone forget about the mediocre Iguodala era with ease. Embiid fits in perfectly with this Sixers team and wants to be the guy who leads them to the promise land.

The Verdict

Joel Embiid has some major concerns. He has yet to stay healthy in his college or professional career. His personality has gotten him in trouble before. If the Sixers max him and Embiid’s injury troubles continue, we will lack the cap space to acquire more talent.

Despite all of this, I would still use the max deal and here’s why. A healthy Embiid guarantees you a chance at the title. Realistically who in the East besides Cleveland and maybe Boston could compete with a 2017 Pick, 2018 Lakers Pick, 2019 Kings Pick, Ben Simmons, Saric, TLC, Covington, and Embiid team.

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Let’s look at the facts. Atlanta, Indiana, and Chicago are on the downswing. Charlotte, Detroit, Toronto, and potentially Miami have spent their cap space on keeping a mediocre core. Orlando and Brooklyn are years away from competing. Milwaukee has Giannis, but with Jabari Parker having his second ACL surgery, the Bucks will not be a contender unless Matthew Dellevadova becomes the next John Stockton.

Boston and Cleveland also do not have an answer for guarding Embiid. Cleveland’s best option is Tristian Thompson who is 6-9. Boston’s best option is Al Horford, a man who last postseason averaged four rebounds a game against Tristian Thompson’s Cavs. Embiid could lead the Sixers to the conference finals as early as NEXT Year.

The Sixers need to take a risk and max Embiid next offseason. If he stays healthy, the Sixers could reach the finals again soon. There are only a few players that guarantee you a title as long as you build the right core around them. Embiid is one of those players.

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In 1976-1977, the Portland Trail Blazers hit lighting in a bottle and won a title. It’s not entirely impossible that the same happens to the Sixers. We just have to hope that Embiid stays healthy for all of next season and many more seasons.