Nick Wright thinks that the Lakers could make a swing for Joel Embiid by trading away Anthony Davis later in the season.
“AD for Embiid. Do you get the year one with LeBron bump that you got from AD with Embiid? In January, if the 76ers thing has gone sideways and the Lakers are still doing this, is that the best that Daryl can do?”
Should the Lakers trade AD for Embiid?? 👀@getnickwright explores after Game 1 of the NBA season: pic.twitter.com/QKxpTELzuq
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) October 25, 2023
Wright admitted that this is a Game One overreaction of a trade suggestion, but it raises an interesting question. If the 76ers were to see the wheels fall off the bus this season, would it be in their best interests to just trade away Joel Embiid before his value drops further?
If that’s the case, I simply cannot see any world in which the 76ers want Davis in return. Both are injury-prone 30-year-old centers, and Embiid has proven to be demonstrably better so far, at least in the regular season. If the 76ers trade Embiid away, it’s to rebuild their roster, not move laterally and rebuild on the fly around Anthony Davis.
Lakers fans would love to get Embiid, but the likelihood of a trade like this going through is next to none.
Will We See Joel Embiid Get Traded This Season?
There has been a lot of chatter around Joel Embiid’s status on the trade block this year. Many expect the James Harden situation to end badly for the 76ers, with the team not getting back the assets they gave up for him or even a competent player they can use for their win-now intentions.
If that happens, there really aren’t many ways a franchise with depleted assets can come back and still put a contender around Embiid. With his age, the window for a title has become very small. Trading him now means trading him at his absolute highest value, but it’ll be a bold move I don’t foresee happening this season.
The 76ers may trade Embiid in the summer of 2024 if they have no choice left. What I am pretty sure of is that Anthony Davis won’t be on the other end of an offer, given his long-term contract and injury concerns. The 76ers would also want to blow their roster up if there’s no Embiid, given it’s designed to maximize his capabilities.
Realistic Teams Joel Embiid Could End Up On?
The Lakers will not be trading away Anthony Davis anytime soon, let alone for Joel Embiid. But which teams around the NBA are licking their chops at the possibility of Embiid being available? The most realistic answer is the New York Knicks, who reportedly have a standing trade package ready to offer if Embiid becomes available.
“The New York Knicks are willing to offer a package that includes three key players, with Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, and Mitchell Robinson all available in exchange for Joel Embiid, according to sources. A trio from that group would be paired with two or three first-round picks. Joel Embiid loves Philly. But he could love it from a distance if the James Harden saga ends poorly.”
If the 76ers can get this package, it’s hard to imagine which NBA team would be willing to beat it. The Miami Heat often gets mentioned, but the only way Embiid ends up there is if he demands to be sent there and refuses to suit up for the Knicks. It didn’t work for Damian Lillard, but it won’t hurt Embiid to try.
Ultimately, it does seem like the Knicks is the likely future destination for Joel if the 76ers can’t keep their franchise center happy.
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