Hey hey, it’s officially official.

Joel Embiid is a Philadelphia 76er through the 2022-23 NBA season. And right on cue, it looks like he’ll make his preseason debut tomorrow night.

A Tuesday press release confirms five-year deal that ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says is worth $148 million.

Sixers’ President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo explained why this had to be done:

“Joel Embiid is a transformative young talent that you rarely come across in our game. Joel is only scratching the surface, but he has all the potential and promise to go down as one of the all-time greats to wear a Sixers jersey. Ownership’s willingness to extend this contract reflects our collective belief in Joel Embiid and a reinforced commitment to building a championship-level basketball program.”

Said Embiid himself:

“I’m so thrilled to be in this position. I want to thank ownership, management, the coaches and most of all the fans, for supporting me throughout this whole process. I love this city and I’m so, so, so, so excited to be spending my next five years here and hopefully the rest of my career, God willing. Trust ‘The Process.’”

Sixers Managing General Partner Josh Harris refereed to Embiid as a “pillar in this franchise and to this city” in his press release blurb. David Blitzer used the word “transcendent” to describe Joel’s talent.

All he has to do is stay healthy, which is easier said than done. I wrote about why this was a gamble the Sixers had to take earlier today.

Spoiler alert: