The NBA trade market was simmering down after weeks of trade rumors regarding James Harden and Damian Lillard hadn’t come to fruition. It’s obvious that superstar players aren’t moved overnight, though one expression of dissatisfaction can change the value of the trade market entirely. That is what happened when Joel Embiid openly said that he wanted to win a championship either in Philadelphia or somewhere else.
The ‘somewhere else’ has piqued the interest of fans and teams around the league, specifically the Knicks. It’s long been reported that the Knicks have been targeting Embiid as the ideal trade candidate they’ll be willing to go all-in for. If they want to expedite their win-now window, they could make an offer to the 76ers tomorrow that could be incredibly hard to turn down.
Trade Details
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick, 2030 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: Joel Embiid, Jaden Springer
The Knicks punt on their team’s long-term building plans for a bonafide win-now trio with Embiid, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle. The team will have veteran players fill out the young guards they will lose in this move and can still make further moves with pick-swaps on offer and an enticing player like Mitchell Robinson.
The Philadelphia 76ers Maximize Value And Rebuild Around Tyrese Maxey
Everyone knows that the 76ers will likely be trading James Harden this summer, a decision that is made easier if the team is pushed into trading Embiid right now. The franchise will be stacked with future assets in draft picks and young players that could develop in a complementary style next to Maxey. He averaged 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season and it looked like he could contribute more if not for his secondary role behind Harden.
Immanuel Quickley was one of the best bench guards in the league last season, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He could get a promotion to the starting lineup and have the room to let his game develop. The same can be said for the young and promising Quentin Grimes, who broke into the Knicks’ rotation last season and averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
The main prize for Philly here would be RJ Barrett, who has shown flashes of his star potential but clearly needs some more time to develop. He may be a four-year veteran, but he’s also just 23 years old and has room to iron out the chinks in his game. He has all the makings of a two-way swingman, someone that could be extremely useful in the 76ers rebuild. He averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists last season. Evan Fournier would likely be waived after being included for salary-matching purposes in this trade.
The haul of trade assets the 76ers are receiving makes this trade extremely intriguing. Bottoming out with the talented youngsters they have won’t be possible, so they can easily transition into a new era that rebuilds this roster organically after years of mistakes plagued the Joel Embiid era.
The New York Knicks Make Their First Championship Push In Decades
The Knicks were willing to pay a very heavy price for Donovan Mitchell last summer but were bailed out when the Cleveland Cavaliers outbid them with an incredible offer. By having assets now, they can make a move for the reigning MVP, a chance that literally has never come before in the NBA. There is no MVP in league history that was traded the summer after winning the award, which is why the Knicks basically have to empty out their asset chest to make this happen. If not for Embiid, there are literally no other players in the NBA they would have to do something like this for.
Embiid is under contract for four more years, so the Knicks can be assured of a few years with this team just in case it is not an immediate hit. Embiid and Randle may be a curious fit but could be the most impactful frontcourt pairing in the NBA, given their diverse skill sets. The attention Embiid attracts inside the paint should start freeing Randle up more often as well, as the former All-Star has struggled when teams build a wall to restrict his mobility and shooting ability. With Embiid, Randle will not be the frontcourt priority for the defense.
Jalen Brunson has proved that his steady point guard skill set translates into almost any situation, excelling as a secondary scorer next to Luka Doncic in Dallas and thriving as a burgeoning No. 1 option with the Knicks last season, especially in the playoffs. He would be a perfect PG for Embiid on the Knicks, being able to fearlessly take the scoring load on his shoulder while also performing his playmaking roles.
Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo are steady veterans primed for a bigger role in a situation like this, as the Knicks can further move Isaiah Hartenstein or Mitchell Robinson to bolster the lineup around their big starting five.
An Atlantic Conference Switch With Massive Impact
The Knicks and 76ers have often been rivals in the past due to the geographies of their franchises. With a trade like this, both teams get to embark on new chapters that could leave some fans scorned. The Knicks have been patient with a developmental project and formed a solid playoff squad. But to break the glass ceiling of an NBA Championship, the Knicks will need to make a big swing to surround their dynamic duo of Randle and Brunson with a bonafide No. 1 option. Embiid is the perfect candidate and someone the team has reportedly had their eyes on for a while.
The 76ers could be mocked endlessly for giving up on their ‘Process’ while Embiid is in his prime, but it may be the best move for the franchise. They seemingly have reached a second-round ceiling that they just can’t get past. The team looks to be getting worse with odd free-agency moves like having three free-agent big men agree on contracts for the next season behind Embiid and no movement on the disgruntled Harden’s situation. An amicable split right now could be ideal, especially given the situation Portland finds themselves in with Damian Lillard tanking his value for teams outside his preferences.
Before it comes to a situation where Embiid has to ask out, the 76ers can get multiple young players and unprotected picks that could set them up for the future. With an inevitable Harden trade on the horizon as well, their assets could be ready for competition within a season or two. It will be fascinating to see how the NBA would be influenced by a move like this, as this shakes up not just the East but the entire league.
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