SUMMARY
- Trade rumors on Joel Embiid's potential departure from the 76ers continue to gain momentum.
- Trading Kevin Durant for Joel Embiid is not completely impossible given the predicament faced by both their teams.
How much should the Philadelphia 76ers expect if they decide to trade Joel Embiid away? As most NBA fans will be aware, the 76ers have been eliminated from postseason contention by the New York Knicks. Despite getting Embiid back on the court for the playoffs, the 76ers were unable to defeat the Knicks in their first-round matchup.
Since the 76ers are nowhere close to their goal of winning an NBA championship, another early exit from the playoffs has fans convinced that it is time to trade away Joel Embiid. During a recent podcast by former NBA 76ers star Lou Williams and comedian Will ‘Spank’ Horton, they discussed a potential trade for Embiid involving Kevin Durant.
Lou Williams and Will Horton discuss the chances of the Philadelphia 76ers trading Joel Embiid for Kevin Durant
Considering that both the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns were eliminated during the first round of the NBA playoffs, one can certainly understand why both teams have already become involved in trade rumors. Lou Williams and Will Horton are associated with the NBA and likely have plenty of insider sources on the subject of potential trades.
Horton claimed that the 76ers should seriously consider trading away Joel Embiid. When Williams asked him what the 76ers should hope to get in return for the reigning MVP, Spank opined that Kevin Durant or Devin Booker would be perfect trade equivalents for Embiid. Moreover, he claimed that the Suns may also have to offer a first-round draft pick in the trade package in order to get Joel Embiid to their team.
76ers receive: Kevin Durant and a First-Round pick
Suns receive: Joel Embiid
Who says no?
(🎥 @thereal_ugl / https://t.co/P25YnBzJTl) pic.twitter.com/zyXOlRqBlg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 5, 2024
While any trade is possible in the modern NBA, this would not be a good one that works out for both sides. Especially the Phoenix Suns. Although Durant is older than Embiid and is approaching the back end of his career, he requires far less change to the playstyle of the team in order to adapt and fit in. On the other hand, the 76ers star is used to having his entire roster constructed around him.
Even if the Suns were convinced that they have no path forward with Kevin Durant as the cornerstone of their franchise, throwing in a first-round draft pick into the deal for Embiid might be asking for too much. There is also no way to know if KD will be able to accomplish something significant in Philadelphia given that he is at the backend of his career and needs other stars around him in order to compete for a championship.
Since the 76ers are likely to make some drastic changes to their roster this offseason when compared to the Suns, fans are left wondering who the team could potentially target in order to get over their current flaws and weaknesses.
Are there any other players that the 76ers can get this offseason?
In all fairness, it is highly unlikely for the 76ers to trade away Embiid in the first place. After all, he still managed to play well in their series against the Knicks despite coming off surgery and dealing with multiple injuries, it is far more likely for the team to trade away Tobias Harris or any other member of their roster with the exception of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Tobias Harris in the off-season:
“Casual Sixers fans, they’ll trade me for a Crumbl Cookie.”
Tobias Harris tonight:
0 PTS | 0-2 FG | 29 MINS
Could this game mark Harris’ final game in a 76ers uniform? pic.twitter.com/dwa8CQCEV3
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) May 3, 2024
Although there is no way of knowing for certain who the 76ers will be able to add to their roster, Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors is an obvious choice. It is also possible for the 76ers to draft Bronny and gain some leverage to force better assets from the Lakers or even bring LeBron James onto their roster. In any case, only time will tell how teams such as the 76ers and Suns will deal with this long offseason.