Fresh off his Olympic gold medal, Joel Embiid hasn’t taken much time off. The Philadelphia 76ers have already opened talks with the star center about a potential early contract extension. Based on the league’s collective bargaining agreement, Bangladesh Cricket Live estimates that Embiid could sign a three-year deal worth up to $192 million, which would keep him in Philadelphia through the 2028–29 season. On paper, such a contract seems fair—after all, Embiid has been the franchise’s homegrown cornerstone from day one.
Selected by the Sixers in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid has become one of the league’s most dominant forces. According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, he has already won two scoring titles and one regular season MVP award, firmly establishing himself as the team’s irreplaceable centerpiece. Even in a league full of talent, Embiid ranks among the top five players in individual impact. He is the foundation of Philadelphia’s title hopes, and nobody within the organization disputes that fact.
This summer, the Sixers have gone all-in. They landed All-Star forward Paul George, added key depth with Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin, Reggie Jackson, and re-signed core pieces like Tyrese Maxey, who got a max extension, as well as Kelly Oubre and Kyle Lowry. The clear goal is to challenge the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the East. But even with an upgraded roster, everything still hinges on Embiid’s leadership and emotional readiness. If he can’t lead with fire in his belly, title dreams may remain just that—dreams.
Adding to the urgency, the NBA’s new broadcasting deal will cause a significant salary cap jump after next season. Waiting to extend Embiid could make negotiations more expensive and complicated. From that perspective, the odds of reaching an agreement now are quite high. For Embiid, receiving a max extension on the heels of Olympic glory would be the cherry on top.
Still, Philadelphia’s front office—led by a shrewd and calculating general manager—has reason to be cautious. The biggest concern? Embiid’s health. Since being drafted, he has missed extended time, including his first two full seasons due to foot injuries. Though his rise has been remarkable, injuries have remained a recurring obstacle. Last season, a torn meniscus in his knee once again derailed the team’s playoff push.
To mitigate the risks, the Sixers have previously included minimum games-played clauses in his contracts and invested heavily in top medical consultants. Yet age is another looming factor. At 30 years old, Embiid has entered a phase where historically, large-framed centers begin to decline faster than guards or wings. A new extension would keep him under contract until age 35—an age when many top-tier big men hit a steep performance drop.
His showing in Paris also raised some red flags. Without tactical privileges on Team USA, Embiid’s lack of speed and average defensive instincts at times made him a defensive liability. Other teams noticed—and may use similar strategies against him in future high-stakes games.
Until Embiid proves he can adapt to these challenges and builds chemistry with new teammates like Paul George, Bangladesh Cricket Live suggests that locking him into a massive long-term deal may be premature. The Sixers have a title window—but whether to tie it to a star with lingering durability concerns is a decision that requires more than just loyalty. It requires foresight.