Snoop Dogg Rubbishes Joel Embiid’s “Can’t Afford” Claim As Team USA Plays Popular Casino Game At Paris Olympics

Joel Embiid’s long tenure with the NBA has allowed him to earn some well-deserved perks. His long-lasting loyalty with the Philadelphia 76ers allowed him to sign a huge extension deal with the franchise back in 2021. As a result, the contract made him not only the highest paid athlete on the 76ers squad but also the 5 highest in the NBA as a whole during the course of the 2023-24 season. In spite of this, the player seems to have no money to spare when dealing with cards. The dollars did not seem to be coming out, even at the insistence of a major celebrity.

Amongst the 150 commentators that NBC is using in their coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, one individual covering things from the ground is none other than renowned 52-year-old rapper Snoop Dogg. As part of a segment published by NBC Sports on the 1 of August, he joined Team USA’s basketball team as they travelled to Lille via train for the matchup against South Sudan. As the rapper passed along a Louis Vuitton basketball to be signed by the players, he quickly approached Embiid after witnessing the Center dealing some cards with Anthony Davis.

“What y’all playing? 21? What you know about Blackjack, Joel?” asked Snoop Dogg. “Let’s play for something then. You got a whole lot of money. Didn’t they just give you a new check?” After signing the basketball, Joel Embiid was quick to reply back with “I can’t afford it.” The rapper did not choose to believe the player, going on to insist “Yeah, you can. You’ve got money. You’ve got long money.” Even Anthony Davis may have been in agreement with Snoop Dogg’s remark, as he was seen flashing a smile in the aftermath of the banter.

In accordance with the extension contract signed by Joel Embiid in 2022, the player was set to stay on with the Philadelphia 76ers for four additional years in exchange for a whopping $213.28 million. With three seasons remaining, the 30-year-old will earn over $51.4 million during the 2024-25 season, while the pay will increase to $55.2 million and $59 million during the remaining seasons. According to NBC Boston, this will make Embiid the second-highest paid player, right after Stephen Curry, for the next two seasons. Therefore, having secured a huge sum already, with more to come soon, the Cameroonian-American can certainly afford to put some of it down over a game of blackjack or even poker.

It was unfortunate that the NBA star did not agree to Snoop Dogg’s request. After all, this could have been the perfect opportunity for him to add to his “long money.” In an interview with ‘The Athletic’ dated April 2022, the 76ers roster spoke out on their teammate’s competitive spirit, specifically when the same came out during poker. From Justin Anderson to Amir Johnson, everyone highlighted how Embiid would constantly bluff during each round, with people at the table getting “pissed because he just says ‘all in’ every time.” This made Embiid quite unpredictable at the cards table, an advantage that would have worked in extracting some dollars from the rapper.

To engage in some high-stake games, Joel Embiid may be waiting for a bigger contract that adds more wealth to his $85 million net worth. Fortunately, negotiations for the same may already be in the works.

Will Joel Embiid decline his player option for a $345.3 million?

After the conclusion of his contract, Joel Embiid can choose to take up a player option that will grant him over $59 million. However, while he may have chosen to not gamble with Snoop Dogg, he may end up gambling here. After all, by going through with the terms of his existing deal, and declining the player option at the end of the contract period, Embiid can be eligible for a 5-year max contract in early 2026, which will be worth $345.3 million.

All of this depends, however, on whether the player is content with the franchise and vice versa. For now, there seems to be no anonymity. During a ‘NBA on ESPN’ segment dated 20 of July, ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne highlighted that Embiid may continue with the Philadelphia 76ers. She gave proof of the same by stating “I think having the good vibes, he has with Tyrese Maxey, that’s a real friendship there. Getting Paul George was not an arranged marriage. They all chose to be together. He’s happy there and I know you brought up the extension. He’s got an Olympics to play in. There were questions about that before, everyone here believes that’s going to get done at some point before opening night. Still a lot of things that has to happen but he’s happy.”

As for the Philadelphia 76ers, Embiid’s standing as the team’s highest scoring player speaks well for him. However, if they grant this monstrous deal to him, then Embiid will be associated with the 76ers till he is 37. With his poor stints at the Paris Olympics, combined with the fact that he is easily susceptible to injuries, the franchise may not be ready to make such a big commitment. With two years remaining until an extension deal is handed on, things can change quickly. Therefore, only the course of time will provide clarity on the direction that Joel Embiid’s team will take.

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