Star center Joel Embiid has played in less than 40 games in each of the last three seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite this lack of availability, Embiid has a three-year, $191 million contract extension that begins with the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. Given how much he’s paid compared to how little he’s played as of late, the former NBA MVP has popped up on [another] list of overpaid players.
Joel Embiid Named Most Overpaid Center in NBA
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a foul during the first half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report recently named Embiid as the most overpaid center in the entire NBA, citing the big man’s lack of availability and declining mobility as the main reasons for his inclusion at the top of the list.
“Recent history says the Sixers won’t get 40 games from Embiid, and the dramatically reduced mobility and lift he showed last year suggests those contests won’t feature a version of Embiid who sustains All-Star-caliber form,” Hughes wrote.
“Maybe if there were a way to believe Embiid could pick his spots and preserve himself for a superstar run during the postseason, you could justify paying him $58 million. Because he’s assured of missing time and highly likely to continue his physical decline in his age-32 season, it’s just too hard to believe in that possibility.”
The other two centers who made Hughes’ list are Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings and Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors.
Joel Embiid Could End ‘Overpaid’ Talk with Dominant 2026-27 Season
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Embiid can end any “overpaid” talk by turning in a healthy and productive ’26-27 campaign. So far, he seems to be on the right track as 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey recently revealed that Embiid is having an excellent summer.
“Joel is great. This is like the first summer I think in a while that he’s been healthy, so he’s been in the gym working out. He’s been lifting weights. He’s extra motivated. He wants to play a lot of games, and he’s excited about the group we’ve built now,” Gansey said of Embiid.
“Even before these trades and LeBron, I think he was excited. So he’s motivated to have a good year and he’s ready to go.”
There’s never been a question about Embiid’s talent. The only questions about him have stemmed from his ability to stay out on the court. Perhaps he’ll finally get some good luck in that regard next season.
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