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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons it may be time for Sixers to trade Joel Embiid

By Michael Saenz

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Jayson Tatum (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) /

The top of the Eastern Conference is overwhelming

Even in a best-case scenario in which the Philadelphia 76ers are able to convince James Harden to return and play this season for the team, they’re not among the rest of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are both more talented and if the Miami Heat is ever able to land Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, they’re a fair tier above the Sixers too.

Without Harden, there’s an argument to be made that the Sixers could find themselves in danger of having to play their way into the NBA Playoffs next season. Assuming that Harden follows through on his vow to never play for the Sixers again, it’s hard to see how Philadelphia will be able to successfully retool around Embiid on the fly.

The Sixers were one win away from making the Eastern Conference Finals last season. After they blew a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the conference finals, they had the feel of a team that had peaked. And maybe that’s part of the reason why Harden feels like his time in Philadelphia is over.