The Sixer Sense
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Sixers have best free agent in sneaker market

By Lucas Johnson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers easily have the biggest name and best option when it comes to the free agent market of shoe deals this offseason.

While the Philadelphia 76ers did miss out on a star player in the beginning of NBA free agency, it doesn’t mean that one of the young stars for the franchise doesn’t have an important free agent decision to make. Luckily for the Sixers, that free agent decision won’t affect the team due to the fact that it’s not NBA free agency but shoe brand free agency.

Sixers franchise center Joel Embiid is one of a few notable NBA names that are free agents in the sneakers world. Out of the big names that are now free agents in the shoe endorsement world, Embiid is by far the most marketable player out there and the best shoe free agent available for companies to pursue.

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Embiid just made his first All-Star game as well as being named All-Defense second team and All-NBA second team this past season. He was also second in Defensive Player of the Year voting as well. Last season he averaged 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. His stats alone should make him stand out from the rest of the competition.

In the ESPN article listing the top shoe free agents, Embiid is purely a better player than the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Andrew Wiggins. There could be an argument that Embiid is on the same tier of star player with the likes of Gordon Hayward and DeMarcus Cousins, both will be coming back from major injuries and may not be the same after they recover.

Only Kawhi Leonard is a better overall player than Embiid, but he too is returning from injury. However, even if he was the same player once he recovers, Embiid is still the better shoe free agent based on his marketability and personality.

Leonard has a very quiet demeanor and has yet to make a public statement after he was traded to the Toronto Raptors. The ESPN article goes into further depth of his lack of marketability. Embiid is quite the opposite, just look at his Twitter account and you will see just how much of a personality he is.

Marketability is a big aspect to the shoe industry and out of all the players listed, Embiid is the most marketable based on his presence on social media. Beyond being the most marketable player, he’s clearly the second best player available, based on skills. The previously mentioned article indicated that Embiid could get one of the best deals out of the free agent shoe class.

Embiid has been with Adidas up to this point and he could very well decide to go with them again. Now Embiid has his options of big names like Adidas, Nike or Jordan, as well as smaller basketball brands like Puma or New Balance. However, Embiid shouldn’t, under any circumstances, sign with Big Baller Brand. It’s a bad look to be signed with a company who’s CEO’s son is on the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the previously mentioned ESPN article, the author had alluded that Puma could be a candidate due to their ambassador being Embiid’s crush, singer Rhianna. However, what the article failed to mention is the Sixers rookie Zhaire Smith has also signed with Puma. If Embiid signs with Puma, it would do a lot for their brand in the City of Brotherly Love and globally.

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In the end, as long as the shoe that Embiid signs with protects his feet and ankles on the court, his choice in sneaker brand won’t have any on-the-court implications for the Philadelphia 76ers. With that being said, a new shoe deal could help increase Embiid’s popularity and brand within the basketball and social media markets. His increased stardom may help the Sixers land a star in the future.