- This proposed trade has the 76ers move both Joel Embiid and James Harden to the Pelicans
- The trade nets the 76ers stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in return
- Both teams would remain competitive
The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that is in a state of uncertainty right now, largely due to James Harden requesting a trade after opting into his $35.6 million player option. That has in turn led to speculation about superstar Joel Embiid’s future with the franchise: if Harden leaves, why would Embiid want to stay on a non-competitive team?
Perhaps there is a trade solution for the Philadelphia 76ers given their current predicament. There are even some teams that have the trade package to absorb both Joel Embiid and James Harden in one trade. Here is a potential trade scenario that involves the New Orleans Pelicans.
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, 2024 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2030 First-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Joel Embiid, James Harden
This trade would obviously involve the two franchises swapping their stars, and it would be an interesting move from both franchises’ perspectives. Here is why both teams should consider making this blockbuster trade ahead of next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers Get Two Young Stars And Reset Their Timeline
According to previous reports, Daryl Morey is hoping that he can trade Joel Embiid and start a rebuild in Philadelphia. If that were to happen, the New Orleans Pelicans would be able to offer an insane trade package. What better way to start a rebuild than by adding two young stars?
As of right now, Zion Williamson is 23, and Brandon Ingram is 25. Both have shown that they are All-Star-level players when healthy, and the duo also have the skill set to work well with one another. They would give the Philadelphia 76ers a new foundation to build on, along with young guard Tyrese Maxey.
Zion Williamson is obviously an All-NBA player when on the court, and his interior dominance is undeniable. This season, he averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, and he would likely be the No. 1 option on the 76ers if he ends up remaining healthy.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram has shown that he is a three-level scoring wing with playmaking ability, and he is one of those versatile offensive forwards that most teams would love to have on their roster. This past season, Brandon Ingram put up 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, and a scoring wing like him is a requirement for any championship team.
Jonas Valanciunas would be the starting center after this trade. Though he is a poor rim protector, Valanciunas is an elite rebounder and post scorer, and perfectly fine as a stop-gap option. Jonas Valanciunas is also on an expiring contract, so the team could end up getting rid of him if he doesn’t fit what they are building.
On top of the player component, the Philadelphia 76ers would also get two first-round picks in this trade scenario. The pick conveyed in 2030 is most likely to be valuable, as it would land outside of the Pelicans’ potential contention window.
The main worry for the Philadelphia 76ers would be due to the health of both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. The two were unable to stay healthy during the 2022-23 season, with Williamson playing 29 games and Ingram playing 45. Still, there is hope that both players can figure it out as they are still young, and perhaps a change of scenery would help with that.
The New Orleans Pelicans Enter Win-Now Mode
The New Orleans Pelicans have not had much success since drafting Zion Williamson in 2020, only making the playoffs once in 2022. Some have already expressed concerns about continuously waiting for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to get healthy, and perhaps a different approach is warranted.
Joel Embiid was the 2022-23 MVP and scoring leader, averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. There is no doubt that he is a top-5 player in the league today, and most teams need that sort of high-level superstar to win a championship. In theory, the New Orleans Pelicans have the talent to try and help Embiid win a championship. On top of James Harden (who is also moved in this deal), Joel Embiid would also have elite role players such as CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy, and Herb Jones on the roster.
Adding James Harden would allow CJ McCollum to fall back into his natural role as a shooting guard, and he already has a rapport with Joel Embiid. Harden’s playmaking would make life easier on offense for Trey Murphy and Herb Jones as well, as he can get them easy looks consistently and find them in their spots. This past season, James Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game.
In this trade scenario, the New Orleans Pelicans would be taking a win-now approach, rather than relying on internal development. Though Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram could end up finding success on the Philadelphia 76ers, perhaps it makes more sense for the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire two players who have a proven track record in the playoffs.
This Trade Lets Both Teams Be Competitive
Any team with a healthy Zion Williamson can be a great regular-season squad. He would also have players such as Brandon Ingram and Tyrese Maxey supporting him, and in the East, those three players are enough to get far. Though neither Williamson nor Ingram are as good as Embiid, perhaps getting both of them can alleviate the sting of his departure.
The New Orleans Pelicans would land the reigning MVP in this scenario and would have him under contract long-term. The team also has the requisite draft capital, even after the trade to effectively build around the center, and basketball-wise, it is a perfect fit.
It remains to be seen if the New Orleans Pelicans and the Philadelphia 76ers would agree to such a deal. As of right now, the two teams are not in trade talks with one another, but anything can change in the future.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
