The Philadelphia 76ers got it done. They moved on from Ben Simmons even sooner than some expected and managed to get Daryl Morey’s top target in James Harden. Before they made that move at the NBA trade deadline, there was a star that Joel Embiid had in mind to pursue.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons reported Thursday on his podcast that Joel Embiid “really wanted” the Sixers to acquire Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal “and was pushing really hard for it.”
“Part of the reason the trade stuff took so long was because there was the Sixers side that wanted Harden—obviously Daryl [Morey], because James Harden is his guy,” Simmons said at the 42-minute mark. “But Embiid really wanted Beal because he felt like he was a better fit and was pushing, pushing, pushing.”
There was some thought that Beal could have opted to pursue a trade request after the Wizards’ collapse after beginning the season with a 10-3 record. Instead, he underwent season-ending wrist surgery and remains in Washington.
LATETS NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Could Sixers Manage To Pair Third Star With Harden, Embiid?
The Washington Wizards made the decision to move on from Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans after they underwhelmed. Washington opted to move both bad contracts in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, who has continued to struggle with injuries. Now, they will be betting on a Beal-Porzingis duo being the answer.
From Embiid’s perspective, he’s not much for a rim roller and likes to get mid-post touches while Harden has played his best basketball with rim-running lob threats. As for Bradley Beal, he is more of a mover off the ball and could have been in more two-man game options within the flow of a possession like DHOs or pindowns.
LATETS NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Could Sixers Manage To Pair Third Star With Harden, Embiid?
For the Sixers, they now have Joel Embiid, who is considered as being the MVP favorite, and will be pairing him with a recent MVP recipient. While Bradley Beal has accomplished plenty in his career, a Harden-Embiid duo is a next level pairing of talents.
Having two elite creators ultimately offers the Philadelphia 76ers with a higher ceiling than what Bradley Beal could have offered. On either end of the switch, the Sixers have a dominant force that can rip the defense into shreds.
