Underdog Fantasy estimates that Joel Embiid has earned $125,695,189 MILLION from sitting out 400 NBA games, more than Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Tyler Herro, and Tyrese Maxey have earned over the course of their entire careers.

In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the NBA, salaries, earnings, and player contracts often dominate the headlines. With the rising value of television deals, lucrative endorsements, and an ever-expanding global fanbase, NBA players are among the highest-paid athletes in the world. But a recent estimate from Underdog Fantasy has left the basketball world buzzing: Joel Embiid, one of the NBA’s most dominant centers, has reportedly earned a staggering $125,695,189 from sitting out 400 NBA games—more than several young and emerging stars like Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Tyler Herro, and Tyrese Maxey have made over the course of their entire careers.

At first glance, this figure seems almost too high to believe. How could someone earn so much money without actually stepping foot on the court? The answer lies in a combination of the structure of NBA contracts, Embiid’s role with the Philadelphia 76ers, and the broader economic forces that shape the league. But what does this really mean for Embiid, his career, and the state of the NBA? And what are the implications for players like Edwards, Ball, and others who have yet to reach that level of earning power? This article will take a closer look at how these earnings are calculated, the mechanics of the contracts, and the wider implications for the league and its players.

Breaking Down the Numbers: How Joel Embiid Earned $125.7 Million from Sitting Out

Joel Embiid’s $125.7 million earnings come from his time spent on the sidelines—whether due to injuries, load management, or other factors. The heart of the issue is Embiid’s large, long-term contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. In the NBA, players’ salaries are determined by their contracts, which are negotiated with their teams. Embiid’s contract, signed in 2021, is a supermax extension worth $196 million over four years. This deal is designed to compensate him for being one of the league’s premier big men when healthy, and it includes a combination of base salary, performance bonuses, and other incentives.

However, the reality of the modern NBA is that players—especially superstars like Embiid—do not always play in every game. Whether for health reasons, rest days, or various other factors, it’s not uncommon for high-profile players to miss significant portions of the regular season. Embiid’s history with injuries, notably his knee, foot, and back issues, has made him a player who frequently finds himself on the sidelines.

With a salary of $196 million spread across four years, Embiid is set to earn roughly $49 million annually from his contract. But when you factor in missed games due to injuries or load management, Embiid has missed a substantial number of games over the years. According to Underdog Fantasy’s estimate, the $125.7 million figure comes from calculating Embiid’s lost games and comparing it to his earnings for the games he actually played in. Essentially, Embiid has earned a significant portion of his contract without playing, as his contract still pays him his full salary regardless of his availability on the court.

To calculate this, Underdog Fantasy looks at the proportion of games Embiid missed versus the games he played. If you consider that Embiid has missed 400 games during his career, it means that over a relatively short span, he has still made a huge amount of money despite not being active on the court for a considerable number of contests.

While this is obviously a reflection of the massive nature of NBA contracts for elite players, it also points to the complexity and high stakes of the league’s financial structures. Embiid’s earnings while sitting out reflect his status as one of the most valuable players in the league, regardless of his availability to play. His salary is guaranteed, meaning he is compensated whether he’s playing or not. But this does raise an important question: How sustainable is this system in terms of the league’s financial model and the way teams and players balance health, rest, and performance?

Comparing Joel Embiid’s Earnings to Other NBA Players

To truly understand the enormity of Embiid’s $125.7 million earnings while sitting out, it’s important to compare it to the career earnings of some of the NBA’s most promising young players, including Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Tyler Herro, and Tyrese Maxey. These players are all part of the next generation of NBA stars, but their earnings have not yet reached the same level as Embiid’s.

1. Anthony Edwards: Edwards, the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has rapidly emerged as one of the league’s top young talents. However, his career earnings—while significant—are still far below Embiid’s. Edwards signed a four-year rookie scale contract worth approximately $44 million. Though he has the potential to earn more in his next contract, his total career earnings so far pale in comparison to Embiid’s $125.7 million from missed games.
2. LaMelo Ball: Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is another rising star with a bright future. His rookie contract, including his option years, is estimated to be worth just over $35 million. Again, Ball’s career earnings have not yet reached Embiid’s total earnings from sitting out, highlighting the financial gap between established superstars and younger players still on their rookie contracts.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Gilgeous-Alexander has been a standout player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, emerging as one of the best point guards in the league. However, his career earnings, which are still climbing due to his recent contract extension, are still a fraction of Embiid’s earnings while sitting out. While SGA’s financial trajectory is upward, he has not yet hit the $125 million mark in his career.
4. Ja Morant: Morant’s explosive athleticism and playmaking have made him one of the league’s most exciting young players. However, despite his considerable promise and impact on the court, his career earnings are nowhere near Embiid’s. Morant is still on his rookie deal and has yet to sign a major extension, putting him far behind Embiid in terms of total earnings, especially from missed games.
5. Tyler Herro: Herro, a key piece for the Miami Heat, earned a significant extension, but his career earnings are still well below Embiid’s, especially when considering the context of Embiid’s earnings while sitting out. Herro’s contract extension is worth around $130 million, but this is over a longer time frame and comes with performance bonuses that are different from Embiid’s more guaranteed earnings.
6. Tyrese Maxey: Maxey, another emerging star for the Philadelphia 76ers, has already demonstrated significant potential, but his career earnings also don’t match the level of Embiid’s. Maxey’s rookie contract and extension are far smaller, as is typical for players early in their careers, especially compared to a superstar like Embiid, who is already on the tail end of his prime.

The Broader Implications: The NBA’s Financial Landscape

The idea that Joel Embiid has earned $125.7 million simply by sitting out highlights a significant issue in modern NBA economics: the disparity between the earning potential of superstars and that of younger, emerging players. This stark contrast in earnings raises important questions about the sustainability of such a system.

1. Player Health vs. Performance: The fact that Embiid has earned such a vast amount of money without playing in 400 games underscores the growing concern around player health and load management. In recent years, the league has seen a rise in players taking rest days to preserve their long-term health and career. This strategy has led to debates about the value of “playing through pain” versus protecting a player’s body for the long haul. Embiid’s earnings from sitting out reveal just how much money is at stake in this delicate balance.
2. Guaranteed Contracts: In the NBA, most player contracts are guaranteed, meaning that a player will receive their full salary even if they are unable to play. While this provides security for players like Embiid, it also means that teams are paying huge sums for players who may not always be available. The $125.7 million earned by Embiid without playing is a direct result of this system, and it raises questions about whether this approach is sustainable or fair, both for the players and the teams.
3. The Growing Gap Between Established Stars and Young Players: The vast earnings difference between Embiid and young stars like Edwards, Ball, and others demonstrates the financial gap in the NBA. While the league’s top players are making millions, younger players are still working their way up and earning far less in comparison. This disparity underscores the financial pressures on rookie and young players, even as they develop their skills and rise to prominence.
4. Endorsements and Marketability: Embiid’s earnings are not just tied to his on-court performance, but also to his marketability. Endorsements and off-court activities play a significant role in a superstar’s total earnings. Embiid’s massive earning potential also reflects his ability to leverage his popularity into lucrative endorsement deals, further solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s highest-paid players.