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

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The cost of success

And that could cost the Philadelphia 76ers in a big way. The contract signed by Joel Emiid and the Philadlephia 76ers did not simply protect the team from a recurring injury. Oh no. The contract added incentives for Embiid to excel. In fact, the contract details by Sports Illustrated Dan Rappaport spell out how he can earn a supermax deal, thusly:

"“to make the All-NBA First Team or be named league MVP, he’d be eligible for a “supermax” deal, which would pay him $176 million.”"

That is a pay raise which averages $5.5 Million per season over five years.

How likely? Oh.. that good huh?

So from $148 Million to $176 Million? But what are the odds of that happening? Well, the designation All -NBA is awarded by national sports writers voting for the best player at each position from each conference. The NBA cleaned up the bias voting of team-employed broadcasters, but there is still a requirement to fill one player per position per conference. And right now, the league is somewhat thin at elite centers. So much the better for Joel Embiid.

Oh. That’s how.

And so, the maturing Joel Embiid is also rapidly becoming one of the three elite players needed for an NBA Championship. And in doing so, it’s only right that he be paid accordingly. Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers sit on $70.5 Million for the 2018-2019 season, with three roster spots which need filled. Those three spots could already be slotted for center Anzejs Pasecniks, power forward Jonah Bolden, and small forward Mattias Lessort. Plus the team has up to six picks in the 2018 NBA Draft to consider as well.