End Of An Era: This Elite 76ers Player Will Be Elsewhere In 2023
Updated: Sep 10, 2023
All good things come to an end, especially in the NBA and its superstars. The movement of superstars in the offseason has become a regular occurrence. A team that is filled with star power is the Philadelphia 76ers. With a roster featuring James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris, this team has talent across the board.
Philly has struggled to get back to the Finals year after year. Eventually, your superstars will get tired of not playing for a championship. That being said, there is one superstar that the 76ers should worry about losing: Joel Embiid. The big man would have to be traded to leave Philly but it is possible. Let’s discuss where the superstar big man could land besides back in Philly.
Embiid Stays In The 76ers Division
First up, we have a less likely trade spot for Embiid and that is the Boston Celtics. Imagine a duo of Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, the East would shiver in fear. However, Tatum is also why this trade is not the most realistic. They have a solid core of players in Boston and are leading the entire Eastern Conference.
The big push here would be for Boston to add a superstar big man that might get them another championship. Embiid might have to sacrifice some scoring but he could thrive in a situation where he has less pressure to be the best performer. Embiid would cost a pretty penny but he is worth it based on his MVP-level stats.
Trade Scenario: Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Jaylen Brown, F/C Robert Williams III, 2025 First-Round Pick (BOS). 2027 First-Round Pick (BOS)
Boston Celtics Receive: C Joel Embiid
Embiid Heads To The Big Apple
A crazy reality for Joel Embiid and the 76ers is that more than one team in their division are trade destinations for Embiid. The New York Knicks have made it clear that they are a destination for superstars. The Knicks have not had an MVP-caliber player on their roster in a long time. The last time the Knicks had a dominant big man was Patrick Ewing.
If the Knicks are serious about winning, they should make a blockbuster trade for Embiid. They have their point guard of the future in Jalen Brunson and superstar in the making in Julius Randle. Now this roster needs to add the final piece of the puzzle and that is Embiid.
Trade Scenario: Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, C Mitchell Robinson, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: C Joel Embiid
Embiid Heads To South Beach
One final destination that makes sense for Embiid is the Miami Heat. Miami was playing for the NBA title not too long ago in the bubble. However, this Heat team has been hit with injuries and has not stayed at a championship level. The good thing is that this would reunite Embiid and Jimmy Butler from their 76ers days together.
Bringing in Embiid can put the Heat back to that contender level of basketball. They will likely be in the play-in tournament for 2023 but that is far below what Embiid could take them to in 2024 and beyond. This would be a costly move for Miami as they would have to surrender some of their first-round picks and maybe a starter or two. However, the NBA does not wait around for teams to put friendship over the business and winning titles, time to make the move Miami.
Trade Scenario: Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F Nikola Jovic, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: C Joel Embiid
Final Thoughts On 76ers And Embiid
Joel Embiid is a perennial superstar and will cost any team a pretty penny. However, trading for Embiid is a business move that puts a team in contention no matter what. You get a center that can do it all on the floor but also improves your roster drastically.
The true reality here is that Embiid will likely be in Philly for the foreseeable future. He signed his super-max deal and intends to play it out in Philly or should intend to play it out. Only time will tell which teams will be willing to make a baller move for Embiid should he ask for a trade this offseason.