Joel Embiid Extends with 76ers Through 2028-29
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 09: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on April 09, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
One-time MVP, two-time scoring champion, and all-time points-per-minute leader Joel Embiid is officially one step closer to fulfilling his promise and goal to retire as a Philadelphia 76er.
Embiid inks a contract worth 3 years and $193 million. This contract starts in the 2026-27 season, as he still has two years left on the 4-year $213 million deal he signed in the 2022-2023 season. The superstar big man has a player option for the final year of this deal, 2028-29. Embiid will need another multi-year deal if he wants to play in the new 76 Place, which is set to open in 2031.
All in all, this deal solidifies the trio of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George on paper.
This deal is massive; the AAV (average annual value) is around $64.3 million, which is $11 million more than his current contract. With the cap inflation rate at 3.36% for this season, that’s a pretty noticeable jump. It seems the Sixers aren’t too concerned with backloading his contract. In 2026-27, the expected value of his contract is $59.5 million, or 35% of the cap. In 2027-28, that number jumps to $64 million or 34.36% of the cap. Finally, in 2028-29, assuming he picks up the option, the number turns to $69 million or 33.55% of the cap. Cap inflation is currently projected at 7.79% in these years, so while the monetary number rises, the percentage of the cap falls. I fully expect Embiid to sign another multi-year deal in an attempt to play in 76 Place, so I believe that PO in 2028-29 will get picked up.
If the Sixers have any hope of a real championship, they need to get it done in the next two years while Embiid is still under his current contract. Once that new contract kicks in during 2026-27, things get pretty hairy. Embiid, Maxey, and George will account for 90.79% of the cap hit. For reference, last year’s LA Clippers team, featuring James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and George, accounted for 93.33%. They’re just under the projected cap in 2026-27, as their cap hit totals roughly $153.5 million, while the projected cap is $160 million. So, not a huge margin to work with. It’s also noteworthy that Daryl Morey’s contract expires in 2027-28.
Overall, this contract is great for the simple fact that it keeps Embiid here and moves us closer toward him becoming a 76er lifer.
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Nate Tramdaks
Nate is a Sophomore at La Salle studying finance. He closely follows the 76ers, has co-hosted his own 76ers podcast in the past, and has been writing for Syracuse University Sports.
