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NBA Trade Rumors: Joel Embiid to demand trade sooner rather than later?

By Michael Saenz

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: Some recent reporting suggests that Joel Embiid could demand a trade away from the Philadelphia 76ers sooner rather than later.

As the Philadelphia 76ers try to find a resolution for James Harden with his most recent grudge with the front office, or more specifically Daryl Morey, it seems as if the franchise could have another problem on their hands soon.

According to a recent report, there’s a growing sense around the league that Joel Embiid will demand a trade away from the Sixers sooner rather than later. And that a complete rebuild could be on deck for the Sixers.

If this is indeed true, the Harden saga could just be the appetizer to what could lie ahead for the Sixers. It’s one thing for Harden, entering the final year of his contract with the team, to demand a trade. It’s an entirely different thing for Embiid, the face of the franchise with four years remaining on his contract, to demand a trade. If that were to happen, there’s no question that it would send huge shockwaves across the league. This could be something that sends the Sixers franchise back a half-decade.

Even if the Sixers were to get a huge return for Embiid, this is not an ideal scenario for a franchise that is still seeking its first NBA Championship since the 1982-83 season.

Embiid is coming off an MVP-winning season and is clearly at the height of his prime. If the Sixers are going to pivot toward a rebuild, this might be the time to do so. While Harden’s trade value may be at an all-time low, you can argue that Embiid’s trade value may be at an all-time high.

Trading Embiid would help the Sixers jumpstart their rebuild, no matter how much trading one of the best players in the league would hurt the franchise in the short term.

Joel Embiid will likely be patient, for now

With the start of the season on the horizon, this is nothing more than something to keep an eye on. Could Embiid demand a trade in the next few weeks? Sure. However, I still find that a bit hard to believe. My guess is that Embiid will give Morey a chance to make lemonade out of lemons with the Haden situation. If that doesn’t pan out, that’s when the clock will tick.

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

At the very least, I predict Embiid gives the Sixers one full season to get back on track. Maybe he gives them next offseason when they’ll have cap space to make a big move after moving on from the big contracts of Harden and Tobias Harris. However, if the Sixers do strike out between now and next offseason, it would be far from surprising for Embiid to demand a trade at that point.