• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 28, 2025

Sinking Sixers Will Soon Face $300M Joel Embiid Dilemma

Embiid signed a three-year extension in September that runs through the 2028–2029 season.

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

On Saturday night, Nets center Nic Claxton sank a miracle putback in the closing seconds of a tied game against the Sixers, lifting Brooklyn to a win.

A quick look at the court in dying moments shows that Claxton grabbed the game-winning offensive rebound over the Sixers’ 6-foot-8 forward Paul George—and not Philadelphia’s 7-foot-2 former MVP center Joel Embiid. And it wasn’t because Embiid—who has missed nearly two-thirds of the team’s games this year—was injured.

Embiid was benched in the fourth quarter by Sixers coach Nick Nurse, who after the game, explained that the 2022–2023 NBA MVP is clearly not 100%. “He’s not himself, we all know that. He’s not certainly the guy we’re used to seeing, playing at a super high level. But, I commend him for giving us what he can,” Nurse said.

Saturday’s loss was the Sixers’ seventh in a row and they fell to 12th in the East, behind Brooklyn. But the Sixers continue to trot out their star whenever possible in what appears to be an attempt to chase the 10th seed and a play-in berth

A postseason appearance would barely salvage a season in which Philadelphia was supposed to challenge for the Eastern Conference throne, and the Sixers now have to decide whether a core with Embiid as the centerpiece makes sense—or attempt to move their longtime cornerstone to build around young star Tyrese Maxey. 

Until The Wheels Fall Off

The Sixers are tied up to this core unless they decide to pull the trigger and trade Embiid and George. The two stars and Maxey combine to make about 90% of the league’s salary cap every year until the 2027–2028 season

But even if Philadelphia decides to cut its losses and move on, the franchise may not find any takers in the market for two aging, injury-prone stars.

Embiid, who has only played about half of all possible regular-season games since he was drafted in 2014, signed a three-year, $192 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2028–2029 season. His entire deal runs for five years, including this season, and is worth $299.5 million. He will be 35 years old at the end of the contract.

George looked like a dream signing when the Sixers inked him to a four-year, $211.6 million contract last offseason, but he is having one of the worst seasons of his career. The final year of his contract is in 2027–2028, when he will be 37.

Philadelphia may be better off hoping the two find health in the offseason and trying to win against next year—or else they may have to sell them off for cents on the dollar. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

How the Celtics Cut $500M Roster Bill Nearly By Half in 1..

Boston is now under the second tax apron for next season.

World Cup, NFL Draft, New Stadiums in PA … and No State..

Growing sports-related needs conflict with budget worries in the commonwealth.
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball while USC Trojans guard Kevin Patton Jr. (8) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Ace Bailey Cancels Sixers Workout a Week Before NBA Draft

The former Rutgers star is a projected top-three pick in Wednesday’s draft.

Devers Deal Gives Giants Star Hitter After Free-Agency Rejections

The Devers deal shows a heightened aggressiveness from a former league power.

Featured Today

Seattle Rough & Tumble

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
WNBA

Portland WNBA Team President Out After Just Two Months As Launch Gets..

Portland has struggled to hire a GM, according to a source.
June 27, 2025

Masai Ujiri Out As Raptors’ Rogers Era Marked by Leadership Shift

Ujiri led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.
June 27, 2025

Mercedes Pursuing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen As Russell’s Contract Expires

The two drivers could theoretically team up in 2026.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 26, 2025

MLB’s Hottest Team May Not Be Able to Host Playoff Games

The club’s temporary home in Tampa isn’t equipped for normal postseason demands.
December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium.
June 26, 2025

California Finds Money for World Cup, but 49ers Remain Tens of Millions..

The NFL team promised to cover costs of games at their stadium.
June 25, 2025

Cooper Flagg Goes No. 1 to Dallas, Capping Mavs’ Rapid Rebuild

The expected selection extends a wild turn of events for Dallas. 
June 25, 2025

Mavs Reset Takes Shape With Kyrie Locked In, Flagg Incoming

The Mavericks are expected to select Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick.