With James Harden already one foot out the door in Philadelphia, the entire future of the 76ers franchise is up in the air. Unless Daryl Morey can find a suitable replacement, his team will take a massive step back in the Eastern Conference power rankings. Now, fans are wondering what it means for Joel Embiid.
Embiid hasn’t yet signaled his desire to leave, but the situation could get dicey this summer if Philly fails to build a proper team without James Harden. Naturally, Joel would be the primary trade target of the offseason, but the New York Knicks have emerged as a legitimate suitor if Embiid does end up on the trade block.
“If Harden is out, what does that mean for the Sixers’ contending timeline and Joel Embiid, in particular? Embiid, the league’s reigning MVP, has been mentioned around league circles as New York’s ideal trade candidate if he ever demands out,” wrote Stefan Bondy of New York Daily News. “The 30-year-old Cameroonian was represented by Leon Rose, who was a longtime agent before taking over as president of the Knicks.”
Obviously, being the “ideal” candidate does not mean a trade is imminent, but it does mean that the Knicks would have a lot to offer in the event that the 76ers decide to pull the plug on the process this summer.
Knicks Would Be Top Contenders With Embiid
Joel Embiid has yet to reach the Conference Finals in his career, but joining forces with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle would give him, arguably, the best chance he’s ever had to make a meaningful run.
Last season, New York finished 5th in the East and dominated the Cavaliers in their first-round matchup. Adding the reigning MVP to the mix would elevate their ceiling to maximum height, and it’s something every fan would love to see.
For now, though, Embiid is off the table, and it’s likely that Daryl Morey will find some way to trade Harden for someone of similar value. If not, it’ll be interesting to see how Joel reacts and what he will be able to do with a limited roster.
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