The Sixer Sense
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Sixers need to extend Joel Embiid

By Matthew Fleming

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers need to keep their superstars, and Joel Embiid is the first one the organization will need to make a big investment on

If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to eventually make the playoffs and perhaps a championship, Joel Embiid will have a major role in making it happen.

Despite Embiid only playing 31 career NBA games, he is three years into his rookie contract.

Now the Sixers need to start thinking about investing in him long-term.

Since the Sixers exercised their team option for a fifth-year, Embiid will be with the Sixers at least for the next two seasons.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

But the organization will have the chance to offer him an extension soon, and they have to do it.

The only option

Embiid is the face of the franchise and has put the Sixers back on the map in the NBA landscape.

His talent is undeniable and there doesn’t appear in be any holes in his game. He dominated on both sides of the court and surprised many of us with his solid three-point shooting.

But the doubters will point to his health issues and that’s understandable.

There is great risk signing him long-term with those injury concerns but we waited over two years for Embiid to finally make his debut and he certainly delivered.

The Sixers organization and fans invested so much time and energy into his health.

If Embiid can avoid major injuries and plays around 60 games next season that should be the proof everyone needs to feel comfortable giving Embiid a big extension.

Embiid is the only sure thing

Right now, we don’t know how good Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz will be in the NBA.

They could turn into superstars, but we can’t count on it until we see them on the court for an entire season.

Say what you want about Embiid’s health issues, but when he is on the court he can be the best player on a championship team.

Embiid has yet to be contained by any player he matched up against last season and often made his way to the free-throw line because the opponent couldn’t stop him.

These type of players don’t come around often and the Sixers can’t get too caught up in the risk.

Next: Why Fultz is the perfect closer

Any way you want to look at it, Embiid is the Sixers best option at this point.