The New York Knicks are ready to pounce if the Philadelphia 76ers have a bad season, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported a preliminary trade offer that the Knicks have ready to offer in case Joel 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.”
The Knicks are just so well-equipped to add one additional star to their roster and become a genuine championship contender. With Giannis Antetokounmpo signing an extension with the Bucks, it’s unlikely he will become available in the near future. This leaves Embiid as the most attainable superstar talent on the market given the topsy-turvy situation in Philadelphia.
Can The 76ers Salvage The Joel Embiid Era?
There have been many wrong decisions made by the 76ers since drafting Embiid in 2014. Drafting Jahlil Okafor and Markelle Fultz in consecutive years is one. The one pick that turned out well was Ben Simmons, as he quickly became an All-NBA caliber talent before having a crisis of confidence brought by a lack of shooting ability and back injuries that made him quit the franchise after being scapegoated for their 2021 Playoffs collapse.
They salvaged that situation and ended up with a talent like Harden, something no one thought possible when that trade saga began in 2021. Everyone’s dismissing Daryl Morey’s ability to pull another incredible trade out of his hat to save the Embiid era. Ultimately, we don’t know which star player may want out in the next few months. Harden could be a valuable trade chip in those situations, especially on an expiring contract.
If the 76ers are patient and don’t give into the Clippers’ offer that sees them get a bunch of expiring contracts like Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington along with many picks, they could save this era. If they settle for that unimpressive package that likely will still be there in January, the era could be in danger.
At this point, Morey needs to hold on to his guns and keep Harden on the roster until he can find a good trade. If he can’t, the long-term outlook on Embiid with the franchise is bleak.
Is Joel Embiid The Right Star For The Knicks?
In their projected offer, the Knicks are giving up both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, along with Mitchell Robinson. This leaves the ‘Vilanova Boys’ behind (Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart) along with young stars like Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. The Knicks would really have to fill out the roster around Brunson and Embiid because this wouldn’t automatically make them a contender.
The great thing is that the Knicks would have a lot of draft capital still to play around with to make additional deals. Could they possibly throw all their remaining assets in the pot for a wing like Mikal Bridges and put together a formidable big three? Who knows what’s available, but Embiid alone may not be enough at such a heavy price.
The timeline on this will be crucial as well, given Embiid is already 30 years old and will give the Knicks a relatively small window to push for a title. It’s possible, but may not be optimal.
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