Fansided

Sixers looking to sign Joel Embiid to contract extension this summer

By David Austin Bumpus

Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) rebounds the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) rebounds the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Sixers fans have learned to “Trust the Process”, and it looks like the team is trying their hardest to maintain that process with Joel Embiid this summer.

Joel Embiid has been arguably the biggest piece of the Philadelphia 76ers’ “process” over the last few years, and it appears the team is trying to make sure they can keep him around for years to come as they build up towards contending.

The team is reportedly looking at an extension for their young star, as they hope to build up their roster with him, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz for years to come. Embiid is going into the fourth year of his contract, and has between July 1 until the season starts in October to extend his current deal with the team.

Sixers owner Joshua Harris said at a press conference that the team is looking to keep Embiid around for as long as they can, and an extension this summer would do just that.

“I’d just say we want Joel to be on the team for a long time,” Harris said. “We want us all to grow old together. That’s the way I would put it.”

Although he missed a good chunk of last season with a torn meniscus, Embiid averaged 20.2 points a game, along with 7.8 rebounds and 2.45 blocks in 31 games. While it’s obviously not a huge sample size, he is a key piece of the team going forward, and this success in his time with the team is enough for them to want to lock him up.

Next: 30 richest players in the NBA

Embiid has also been a major key to the team recruiting young talent, as he apparently was sending as many texts as he could to Fultz during the week of the NBA Draft, and was also present as the representative for the team at the draft lottery.

Sixers fans are definitely hoping they can keep Embiid around, and I’m sure Embiid hopes the two sides can work out a deal this summer, as well.