The NBA trade market was subject to some interesting buzz yesterday as Joel Embiid made some comments that have stirred the pot. He openly said he wants to win a championship, whether it’s with the Philadelphia 76ers or some other franchise.
Richard Jefferson reacted to Embiid’s comments by saying that Embiid will likely leave due to the very small sample size of top picks actually winning titles with the team that drafted them.
“I 100% believe him. Was LeBron more connected to Cleveland or is Philly more connected to Embiid? Bron was like, ‘Home? No, I am out, I am going to Miami, I want to win.’ Players want to win. They’re judged by that, so when he says it’s either going to be here or somewhere else, history tells us that great players will change teams.”
The track record for players like Embiid does seem like a departure is what allows them to win. Damian Lillard has stayed with the Portland Trail Blazers for a very long time, and both team and player have reached a point where the ending looks to be sour. Embiid has exemplified Philly for nearly a decade, but another season of losing could ruin this relationship.
Where Could Joel Embiid Go?
The preliminary favorites to land Embiid in a trade are the New York Knicks. The Knicks have a lot of enticing assets that could satisfy the 76ers in a possible trade. Unless some of the other teams loaded up with future assets, like the Thunder or the Jazz, make a play for Embiid, the Knicks should be the best available option.
Joel is under contract with the 76ers for four more seasons, with 23-24 being the first year of his new contract. Being traded after coming off an MVP season is a near impossibility, so the 76ers will give it at least one more year, regardless of how the James Harden trade saga ends. At the end of the year, if the 76ers regress or are second-round exits again, Embiid’s future may become irreconcilable.
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