Joel Embiid, the 76ers’ No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, missed all of last season. He’s expected to miss all of this season. He might not even be ready to begin the 2016-17 season.
But facing a Monday deadline to guarantee Embiid’s $4,826,160 2016-17 season or let him unrestricted free agency next summer, Philadelphia is making the prudent choice.
Brian Seltzer of sixers.com:
#Sixers officially confirm team picked up 3rd-year contract options on Joel Embiid & Nik Stauskas, and 4th-year option on Nerlens Noel.
— brianseltzer (@brianseltzer) October 30, 2015
This was practically a given for all three players. Nerlens Noel ($4,384,490) and Nik Stauskas ($2,993,040) are bargains at that value.
Even Embiid is worth the money. How else would the 76ers spend it? Free agents aren’t exactly flocking to Philadelphia. Besides, the 76ers aren’t interested in getting good yet. They’re continuing to build through the draft, and a sidelined Embiid improves their draft position.
Plus, Embiid still has upside. If he gets healthy, he could capitalize on the mix of skill and athleticism he showed at Kansas. The 76ers would obviously prefer, if that happens, it happens with them. Exercising his option maximizes those odds. Despite negative reports about his work ethic, they’ve stood by him. It’s too soon to cut bait now.
The bigger question comes next fall. Will Philadelphia – after two of Embiid sitting – exercise his $6,100,266 2017-18 option by the Oct. 31, 2016 deadline? My guess is yes for all the reasons they exercised his third-year option, but we’ll see how this rehab goes.