JoJo Journey begins. Philadelphia 76ers extends Joel Embiid sends right message

The Philadelphia 76ers have not been know for extending players. While some may argue no players were worth retaining, the exodus of Sixers players has been constant. That all changes now with the extension of Joel Embiid.

Joel Embiid is a special player for the Philadelphia 76ers. There are few, if any, equivalents in the NBA today. He is a towering 7-foot-2 center who can defend like a guard and shoot from the perimeter. His versatility is a huge plus, as he can dominate on both ends of the basketball court.

Still, he has 31 games experience under his belt. And in three seasons of available NBA play, he has missed 215 games. So yeah, there is a question mark out there.

There is enough room for doubt in his playing time so far to place plenty of doubt into his future health. And many expected the Philadelphia 76ers to leverage that doubt into a forced discount for the young center’s services. The really good news is, they didn’t. The team ante’d up on a player who could change the way the game of NBA basketball is played. The question remains whether he will remain healthy enough to do so.

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid has agreed to a five-year, $148 million designated rookie scale max extension, league sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 9, 2017

That is great news. Simply spectacular news. And so, the journey for JoJo as the keystone for the Philadelphia 76ers future begins now.

Positive attracts positive

Why is that good news? Simply stated, Joel Embiid is the cornerstone to a championship team. The team has more players to sign. Players like Robert Covington, whose value on the defensive side of the ball is too often ignored.

Next up in the Sixers extension extravaganza is Robert Covington, who shares Joel Embiid's agent. Renegotiation can start on Nov. 15.
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) October 9, 2017

With Embiid under contract until 2023, the team can begin to assemble the players, and affordable contracts, to sustain great things for the team for years to come. At the same time, the team can begin to attract upper tier free agents as well. Players who have reached the level where they dictate which teams they will consider playing for.

More players like J.J. Redick.

Both parties are protected

While the exact terms of the contract have yet to be released, early reports indicate that the contract is 50 percent guaranteed. That offers significant protection to the Sixers. Meanwhile, 50 percent of $148 million, or $74 million over five years, IS guaranteed.

That protection may not cure the team if Embiid falls to injury once more. But, it does allow the team sufficient room to sign another player to come in and absorb some playing minutes.

Next: Can Jahlil Okafor find a niche with the 76ers?

In the end, Trust The Process is more than believing good things will happen “some day”. It’s acknowledging that the team is standing at the cusp of something incredible now. Signing Joel Embiid to that max contract is more than a business decision. It’s a leap of faith.

That contract extension is like a gunfire at the start of the race. We’re off the training wheels now folks. This is a big boy team in a big boy league. And Here We GO!