Joel Embiid is the reigning MVP in the NBA, having finally won the award in the 2022-23 season. But despite finally reaching that summit, Embiid has been unable to find postseason success with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers find themselves in a precarious position. They should be perennial contenders with Embiid as their centerpiece, but they haven’t even made it to the Conference Finals. And with James Harden now asking out, there are concerns that Joel Embiid might too. In that case, one possible destination has been mentioned.
“Should Embiid ever demand a trade, it’s worth noting the Miami Heat has one of his good friends, Jimmy Butler, and a potentially intriguing trade chip in All-Star center Bam Adebayo to dangle, in theory,” Mike Scotto wrote for HoopsHype.
Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid played together the one season that the Sixers arguably got closest to making a deep playoff run. They lost to ‘The Shot’ by Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors went on to win it all instead. Butler and Embiid have been vocal about their friendship and their respect for one another, so this does make sense.
The Miami Heat are currently in pursuit of a different superstar, however, being the main players in a potential Damian Lillard trade. Talks seem stagnant at the moment, though, Miami’s package hasn’t excited the Trail Blazers. Should another superstar like Embiid decide to move teams as well, then they might shift their interest accordingly.
Joel Embiid Has Said In The Past That He Misses Playing With Jimmy Butler
These conversations about Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler teaming up have been going on for a while. And it doesn’t hurt that the stars themselves sometimes fan the flames. Like the time Joel Embiid admitted that he missed playing alongside Butler.
“I’m not gonna sit here and say I didn’t wish he was my teammate. Still don’t know how we let him go. You know, I wish I could have gone to battle with him still.”
These are strong words, and the presence of Bam Adebayo as a potential trading chip makes a big difference too. They aren’t willing to offer him up in a trade for Damian Lillard, but Joel Embiid could be a different story altogether. It’s unlikely to happen, but still, something to potentially keep an eye on.
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