Paul George, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, Sixers injury report, updates
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Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Joel Embiid #21 during a timeout in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
When it comes to NBA contracts, the Philadelphia 76ers are accused of having some of the worst deals on the books.
In a recent ranking put together by CBS Sports, the Sixers were hit with a difficult reality: Joel Embiid’s contract is considered the worst in the league.
Going beyond that, you can’t even make it out of the top five before seeing another. Paul George ranked as having the fourth-worst contract in the NBA.
How Much Do Joel Embiid And Paul George Make?
The Sixers big three: Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Sixers big three: Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Following his Los Angeles Clippers run, Paul George was one of the top free agents two summers ago. The Sixers were among a few teams putting together a hot pursuit for the star wing. Ultimately, they won the sweepstakes. Obviously, it didn’t come cheap.
George signed a four-year deal with the Sixers in 2024. He is going to make $211.5 million if he sees the contract all the way through. The final year in 2027-2028 is a player option for $56.5 million. If he picks it up, George will be on the books until 2028.
Joel Embiid has spent his entire career with the Sixers. He’s had several major contracts with the team already, and he recently started a new extension, which was signed before the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season.
According to Spotrac, Embiid’s next deal begins with a $58.1 million salary. He’s slated to earn $188.2 million through 2029. The final year is a $67.3 million player option.
The Great Debate
Sixers star Joel Embiid
GettyJoel Embiid is currently out with an injury.
Skills-wise, Embiid and George have done enough to be labeled as some of the most talented players in the game. They both have extensive resumes and many All-Star games to show for.
But nobody can deny the fact that availability has been a massive issue. Since Embiid entered the NBA he has dealt with injury concerns. He certainly beat the odds and totally avoided bust status, unlike other bigs who couldn’t overcome injuries before him, but staying on the court has been a notable issue as of late.
During the 2023-2024 season, Embiid played in 39 games. In 2024-2025, he had just 19 appearances. This season, he’s got 33 games under his belt. There was a long, healthy stretch, but multiple minor setbacks have forced Embiid to miss all but two of the Sixers’ previous 10 games.
When he’s on the floor, Embiid is dominant, and the Sixers are dangerous. When he’s off, the team struggles to fill the major void he leaves. With so much money tied into Embiid, the Sixers are taking an all-in gamble with unfavorable odds.
As for George, he simply hasn’t given the Sixers what they’ve expected to get from him. After battling multiple setbacks in 2024-2025, George’s season ended after 41 games.
This season, George was finding more consistency with his availability, but landed a 25-game suspension after seeing the court for only 27 games. The Sixers owe George $110 million beyond this season. The 35-year-old absent-prone player has been a disappointment. It would have to take a strong showing in the 2026 NBA Playoffs in order for George to move higher on the list.