NBA Trades: 5 winners and losers of the Sixers-Clippers Harden deal

NBA Trade Losers: Joel Embiid

Sixers superstar Joel Embiid has had weird luck. He missed two seasons to start his career and part of his third season. Then, he managed to become an elite player, winning back-to-back scoring titles, finishing second in MVP voting in consecutive seasons and finally winning MVP last season.

That’s all well and good but he seems to always be injured during the playoffs and has seen not one but two co-stars demand trades. Now Embiid is left to try and pick up the slack. He’ll help with rising star Tyrese Maxey, who looks more than ready to take on a bigger role post-Harden.

Still, Embiid and Maxey simply won’t be able to compete with the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and probably even the Miami Heat. They will still likely make the playoffs but, barring another trade, which is possible, the Sixers will probably take a step back this season.

Philadelphia might be willing to do that if it means that they can build around Embiid better in the long term, though they would be punting on his age-29 season. For a player with an injury history like Embiid, that is a pretty big deal. Then, there are rumors that he might be the next star to ask out. Things can change; the Sixers could flip the assets received for Harden for another star but at the moment, Embiid is a loser in the deal.