The New York Knicks are monitoring Joel Embiid’s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers. If the 2023 NBA MVP ever decides to request a trade from the Sixers, the Knicks will be ready to try to acquire him.
“They’re not hoping for patience, they’re hoping for The Process,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said. “I don’t know if that’s coming, but they’ve looked at that situation in Philly and there’s been a hope in New York that stuff in Philly will go haywire to the point where Embiid will ask out. I don’t know the percentage odds on that, I would say they are slim, but that’s been the hope.”
An NBA scout recently told NBA Analysis Network that Embiid “likes the idea” of playing for the Knicks. However, the scout said the six-time All-Star doesn’t want to play for New York head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Embiid has privately pondered the idea of playing for the Knicks in recent years,” the scout said. “That’s not necessarily breaking news, many superstars have done the same. From what I’ve heard, he likes the idea of playing in New York but wouldn’t want to play for Thibodeau.”
Embiid signed a four-year, $210 million maximum contract extension with the Sixers in August 2021. Philadelphia has never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
Since Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Embiid’s agent, some people believe New York would have an advantage in the Embiid trade sweepstakes if the Kansas product hit the trade block.
The Knicks could assemble a trade package for Embiid built around Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
New York needs another star around point guard Jalen Brunson to make some serious noise in the playoffs and Embiid certainly fits that bill. Joel won the MVP Award this season by averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds.
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