NBA Trades #4. Joel Embiid
Speaking of James Harden…When Harden requested to be traded to the 76ers to join forces with Embiid, who had just gone through all the Ben Simmons drama, it seemed that the big man finally found his perfect running mate. One season later, they have not had any notable playoff success despite Embiid winning the MVP and Harden already wants out.
Harden has a shaky playoff resume, but he is the best thing the 76ers have. If he does not play or they do not get a good return that can help them win now, the 76ers are doomed.
Joel Embiid is 29 years old, has not made it out of the second round of the playoffs in the last five years, and the 76ers seemingly cannot put a championship contender around him. Time is ticking for Embiid to win a title; if this season is another failure for the 76ers, it might be time to try his luck somewhere else.
I wouldn’t blame him if he decided to ask out of Philadelphia. He is the reigning MVP, but he cannot be expected to carry a team through the regular season, the playoffs, and the finals with Tyrese Maxey as his number two option.
Maxey is talented and has a bright future in the NBA but the 76ers need more to win a title and avoid losing Embiid. He has publicly said that he wants to play his best basketball and win a championship. The time to question whether or not that is possible in Philadelphia has come.