NBA Trade Rumors: One Philadelphia 76ers insider says that Joel Embiid to the New York Knicks could ‘absolutely’ happen.
Currently, at the moment, there are three big-name stars/superstars that are considered the next slate of blockbuster transactions. Those three superstars are Damian Lillard, Pascal Siakam, and James Harden. Once this wave passes, though, there will almost be definitely a next handful of stars that will be seeking a change of scenery.
One name that many around the league are keeping a close eye on is Joel Embiid. And there are understandable reasons for it. With the assumption that Harden is going to be traded, eventually, this summer, there’s a very real chance (especially if the Philadelphia 76ers end up getting an underwhelming return) that Embiid could be stuck on a non-contender. For as good as Daryl Morey is at his job, it’s almost impossible to envision how the Sixers will compete with the other contenders in the Eastern Conference this season without Harden.
If that ends up being the case, the MVP will have to truly reevaluate his position and future with the Sixers. And if the door to possibly asking for a trade is opened, there is one team that not only makes a lot of sense for Embiid but also one that has been consistently linked to him of late.
That’s the New York Knicks. And, specifically, one Sixers insider, Keith Pompey, recently noted that it’s not that outlandish of an idea.
Per Pompey, in an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, when asked about the possibility of Embiid’s future, he said that he could “absolutely” see the MVP center with the Knicks.
The scenario in which Joel Embiid lands with the New York Knicks
If the Sixers do get an underwhelming return for Harden, which could very well happen, it would be interesting to see what the potential fallout would be with Embiid and the Sixers. Maybe it doesn’t matter and Embiid is unaffected, but that’s a huge bridge to cross without knowing for sure.
Embiid s 29 years old and is coming off an MVP year. He’s playing the best basketball of his career and having to play with a less talented Sixers team than last season (in which they lost in the second round of the playoffs again) doesn’t make sense for a superstar that is trying to win a championship.
The question is, would those circumstances be strong enough to push him toward a trade demand? If so, the Knicks will be waiting. We know they have the assets to get a deal done and the willingness to pursue one.
It could all come to fruition pretty quickly, and the Knicks might be one superstar away from being a real championship contender in the East.