Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have quietly been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. If they can’t get over the second-round hump this season, you can’t help but wonder what that could end up meaning for this core moving forward. Let’s not forget; James Harden could hit free agency after this season and he’s already been linked to the Houston Rockets.
Without question, and whether they’re willing to believe it or not, the Sixers are heading into a playoff run that could end up dictating the team’s future. If the worst-case scenario does emerge for the Sixers in the postseason, would it be that surprising if Harden left in free agency? And if Harden did end up leaving, that would leave Joel Embiid in somewhat of a bind.
Heading into his age-30 season, the Sixers could be in the midst of another retooling in search of a second start once again. If it would all fall apart for the Sixers in the playoffs and at the start of the offseason, it wouldn’t be in the least surprising for Embiid to seek a fresh start.
While I don’t believe it is likely to happen, it’s a scenario that we should all be prepared for this offseason.