“There is a lot more work to do. You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started!” Joel Embiid had this promise to give out after he recently signed a whopping 3-year, $193 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. When including the player option and the remaining terms of his previous contract, the new deal will keep the Cameroonian with the Eastern Conference franchise till the 2028-29 season. Therefore, staying on for such a long term whilst possessing one of the richest contracts in the league’s history, the expectations set upon the player would only increase. However, a former Warriors player is here to remind you that Embiid may not choose to stay as long as some might think.

In a recent segment of the ‘Gil’s Arena’ show, the Gil’s Arena crew reunited to discuss Embiid’s historical extension. When Josiah Johnson asked how many years do his counterparts think the 76ers star has remained in his prime, WNBA star Lexie Brown was willing to give him 4 more years. However, Gilbert Arenas himself dismissed the opinion, highlighting that signs have already started to point towards a gradual decline.

“What is his bottom end? 20, 22, 23? And what the f**k, it’s not like he goes off of speed. I mean sh*t, he’s just gonna get slower than Jokic. That’s still what, 25,” said the former Warriors player. Later, he added to his previous remarks by stating “He’s one of those guys, his last year, he’s going to finish off with like 21 and 12, and ‘I’m done.’ He’s not going to finish his career at a seven, he’s averaging seven and five, and coming off the bench playing four minutes.”

If the previous season was any indication, it was that Joel Embiid was far from saying adieu to his prime. With an average of 34.7 points and 5.6 assists, this was the highest stat he had achieved in his eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. He also achieved career-high shooting accuracy, hitting 38.8% from three-point range and 88.3% from the free-throw line. During a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs back in January, Embiid dropped a career-high 70 points, accompanied by 18 rebounds and five assists to help his team secure the 133–123 win. This allowed him to break the Sixers franchise record for most game points previously set by Wilt Chamberlain (1967), and become the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 in a single game.

At the same time, however, the recent season was also the one in which Joel Embiid played the second-lowest number of games of his career. He made only 39 appearances during the season after developing a serious injury. Ailments to the hip and ankle were also present throughout the season. While Embiid touched his career-high of 68 games just two seasons ago. Few expect such a feat in the future. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, agents have advised their clients about Joel Embiid’s injury woes as a way to prevent them from joining his team. After all, the same has often prevented him from playing less than 100 percent in the postseason.

Per Arenas, Joel Embiid will not wait for his averages to go all the way down before looking to exit. As injuries begin to catch up, the 30-year-old may spend the next few years deciding his future. This same thought process has been adopted by another major entity of the NBA world.

“One thing and one thing only” – Amidst chants of ‘overrated’, Stephen A. Smith defends Joel Embiid

In a recent segment of First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe took the show to the prestigious Howard University. When the discussion turned to Joel Embiid’s contract extension, the crowd erupted in boos, chanting “overrated.” Stephen A. Smith joked about the Washington Wizards due to Howard University’s location in D.C. He then encouraged the crowd to give Joel Embiid a fair shot.

“Joel Embiid’s issue is one thing and one thing only. Injuries, his health” said the 56-year-old media personality. “When this brother is on the floor, he is one of the most dominant, one of the most gifted big men the game of basketball has ever seen. And he has a personality that matches his game. He deserves every penny. Nobody can look at his skill. What this brother do on the basketball court and say ‘Why would the Sixers pay him that?’. You damn right to pay him that money.” Highlighting how he has witnessed the 30-year-old average 35 (actually 33 points) against the Knicks “on one leg”, the sportscaster believed that by removing the injury component, the player’s prime days are far from over.

Do you believe that Joel Embiid still has the best years of his career ahead of him? Let us know in the comments down below.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.