Cousins injury = huge payday for Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid?

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during practice as part of the 2018 NBA London Global Game at Citysport on January 9, 2018 in London, England. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bonus baby

But the bonuses for Joel Embiid were not analyzed nearly as much. Should Joel Embiid earn the designation of “All-NBA First Team” or league MVP, he becomes eligible for a supermax deal, which converts his $148 Million deal into $176 Million.

So far this season, the Sixers center was competing with the lights-out year of New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins. But Cousins suffered a devastating Achillles Tendon injury to his left ankle, and he will be out for the rest of this season.

New Orleans All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins has a left Achilles injury, league source tells ESPN. He's undergo an MRI to determine severity.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018

He was having a career season playing alongside teammate Anthony Davis. Now, there is less competition for elite center designation in the NBA.