The Philadelphia 76ers don’t need another superstar, but that’s maybe why this hypothetical trade is so fascinating to consider. After assembling a terrifying collection of talent around LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia has one goal: win the championship or bust.
That’s why even some staunch NBA analysts have analyzed some potential problems facing the 76ers next season, with some even clamoring for the Sixers to trade Joel Embiid.
Even if it’s early, the 76ers might believe their roster needs a fresh face in the paint, and making a stunning move for Anthony Davis could give them a completely different personality without sacrificing championship-level talent.
On the other side, Washington has a completely different question to answer.
The Wizards have Trae Young, the No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and a young core that desperately needs a dominant force. Davis is still an elite two-way big when healthy, but his injury history and contract situation create legitimate long-term questions.
If Washington isn’t convinced it wants to build its next era around Davis, particularly if the two sides can’t reach the long-term extension he wants, moving him for Joel Embiid might be a worthwhile gamble.
This would mean Embiid and Davis essentially switching places, and that’s a very fun part to dive into because each of these stars has a ton to prove next season.
Proposed Blockbuster: 76ers Get Anthony Davis, Wizards Get Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Anthony Davis
Washington Wizards Receive: Joel Embiid
A straight superstar-for-superstar swap would be almost impossible to predict because both teams would be taking enormous risks.
For Philadelphia, Davis is a different type of player. He’s 6’10”, a lob threat, one of the league’s best help defenders and a perennial All-Defensive candidate when healthy. More importantly, he wouldn’t need to dominate the ball with LeBron James, Brown and Maxey already taking the shots.
Davis averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks across 51 games in 2024-25. In his injury-shortened 2025-26 campaign, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 20 games.
That’s the version Philadelphia would be betting on.
Embiid, meanwhile, is an MVP-level star when he’s available. During his 38 appearances in 2025-26, he averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 85.4% from the free-throw line. He also knocked down 33.3% of his 3-point attempts.
The problem is the number that jumps off the page:Â 38 games.
That’s the entire Embiid equation. It is with Davis as well, but Embiid seems to struggle more. That was also a heavy talking point from LeBron James and his camp before the “Decision 2.0” was made.
Philadelphia could decide that Davis’ defense and lower offensive burden make him a cleaner fit alongside James and Brown.
Washington could look at Embiid and say: If we’re taking a risk on a superstar’s health anyway, why not bet on the guy who can potentially turn the franchise into a contender immediately?
Why The 76ers Might Actually Prefer Davis Next To LeBron James
Philadelphia’s superteam looks spectacular on paper, but do they fit?
LeBron is 41. Brown is coming off an MVP-level season, finishing 6th in the race. Maxey needs the ball in his hands to maximize his talents.
And Embiid has historically been at his best when the offense runs through him. No doubt, Davis offers Philadelphia a different player to build around.
He doesn’t need 20 shots every night to influence a game, and that could be incredibly valuable with James.
Remember what Davis and LeBron accomplished together in Los Angeles. They won the 2020 championship inside the Orlando bubble, with Davis averaging 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals during that championship run.
There is already chemistry there. And there is already proof that the pairing can work when the playoffs arrive.
Picture a closing lineup featuring Maxey, Brown, LeBron, Davis and a floor-spacing option like VJ Edgecombe or even Anfernee Simons. Davis can operate as the screener and roller, while LeBron gets to attack with a massive target around the rim.
Not to mention, the defensive aspect of the game.
Embiid can be an excellent rim protector, but Davis gives a team the ability to defend higher up the floor and recover to the basket. For a 76ers team that expects to play deep into the playoffs, that versatility could matter more than another 25-point scoring night.
Philly might think Davis is the better fit for this team.
Wizards Might Think Embiid Is The Better Bet Beside Trae Young And AJ Dybantsa
The Wizards aren’t trying to win a few more games than their awful 17-win team from last year. They have a chance to build around one of the most talented players to enter the league in years.
Dybantsa went No. 1 overall in June after leading the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game at BYU. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, shot 51% from the field and scored at least 20 points in 28 of his 35 games.
Trae Young is the veteran creator Washington can use to accelerate Dybantsa’s development. Young averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists during his 15-game 2025-26 stint with Washington, and the Wizards subsequently committed to him on a four-year, $212 million deal.
Now put Embiid between those two. Suddenly, Washington has an entirely different identity.
And here’s the part Washington would have to wrestle with:Â Do the Wizards really believe Anthony Davis is the player they want to pay and build around?
He played just 20 games in 2025-26, averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds before a hand injury ended his season. He also played only 51 games in 2024-25.
If Washington isn’t prepared to give Davis the long-term extension he’s seeking, the franchise could move a 33-year-old superstar whose contract future is uncertain, or move him while his value remains high.
That’s where Embiid comes in.
He’s hardly a picture of perfect health himself since he only played 38 games last season, but Washington could decide his offensive ceiling is worth the gamble. Embiid is a former MVP, seven-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion who has averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists across his career.
Washington could essentially decide that Davis isn’t the superstar it wants to bet its future on and replace that uncertainty with one of the most dominant offensive big men of his generation.
Ultimately, this trade is about fit for both teams, and a swap deal shouldn’t be out of the equation at this point.
