NBA: Embiid signs "multi-year" Philadelphia 76ers contract
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed a contract extension with Joel Embiid, with reports stating the deal is worth $196m over four years.
The Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid has signed a "multi-year" new contract with the NBA franchise after coming close to winning the MVP award in 2020-21.
The 76ers did not release details of the extension, which rewards an outstanding season for the All-Star center, but widespread reports on Tuesday said the 27-year-old has been handed a four-year deal worth $196m.
Embiid: "No place like PHILADELPHIA!!!"
“Joel is the definition of elite - a role model in our community and a true MVP-caliber superstar on the court,” Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris said.
“Since he was drafted in 2014, his rare blend of skills, charisma and leadership has transformed this franchise. We couldn’t be more grateful and excited to continue watching him in a 76ers uniform.”
In a tweet, Embiid said: "There’s no place like PHILADELPHIA!!! Excited to continue working towards bringing a title home and eventually retire here".
Embiid second in 2020-21 MVP voting
Embiid became eligible for the extension after finishing second in the MVP voting and making the All-NBA Second Team.
But for injury, the big man might have scooped the top award, for which he was the favourite until a knee problem in March.
The 76ers were only 10-11 without Embiid, but their 39-12 record with their outstanding star on the floor was enough to finish first in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid's 28.5 points per game were a career high and ranked fourth in the NBA despite the ongoing knee issue – a torn meniscus, which he played with into the postseason – limiting the former third overall pick to 31.1 minutes.
Per 75 possessions, his 32.9 points led the league, boosted by improvement in field-goal percentage (51.3), three-point percentage (37.7) and accuracy from the foul line (85.9 per cent).
Embiid's new deal, which runs through the 2026-27 season, reportedly includes a player option for the final year, although the Sixers do not have the same protection in case of further injuries.
Embiid is yet to play more than 64 games in a regular season in the NBA, with the start to his career delayed by two years due to foot surgery.