NBA Rumors: 8 Bold predictions for the second half of 2023 offseason

The Joel Embiid trade request clock will begin

If the previous bold prediction does come to fruition and there’s a good chance that it will, and if the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t able to salvage their situation heading into the start of the season, there will be some repercussions that could come to the forefront. If the Sixers enter the season with their top three players being Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, it will not be pretty. And if that does end up being the case, I predict that the trade request clock will officially begin for Embiid.

Let’s look at the facts: Embiid is 29 years old and will be 30 by the time the playoffs begin next season. He is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in which he won his first NBA MVP award. The last thing that Embiid needs is for the Sixers to take a step back from a talent perspective.

If they were to trade Harden for pennies or even dimes on the dollar, that’s exactly what would happen. Embiid would be forced to look in the mirror and decided whether or not he truly believes he can win an NBA Championship in Philadelphia.

I’m not saying Embiid is going to demand a trade per se, but the rumblings will begin.