A former NBA executive recently told NBA Analysis Network that the Los Angeles Lakers have been monitoring Joel Embiid’s situation with the Philadelphia 76ers.
If Embiid were to request a trade from the Sixers, the Lakers could “put together a king’s ransom offer” to land the six-time All-Star.
“There have been rumblings that the Lakers have been looking at the possibility that Joel Embiid could want to leave Philadelphia,” the exec said. “If that happens, Rob Pelinka and company would like to be in a position to put together a king’s ransom offer to land him.”
Embiid signed a four-year, $210 million maximum contract extension with the Sixers in August 2021. The 29-year-old is one of the best players in the NBA, but Philadelphia hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs with Embiid.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
For what it’s worth, the Sixers don’t plan to trade Embiid this summer, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey believes Embiid is untouchable in trade talks.
“There’s no plan to trade Embiid at any point,” Pompey wrote. “So, yes, he is very much untouchable. There are some who believe the Sixers should consider trading the league MVP because of his injury history and inability to get out of the second round. But it’s not that simple.
“Embiid is the face of the Sixers and the main reason why they’ve won 154 games over the past three seasons. They won’t come close to getting equal value for the future Hall of Famer in a trade. Sure, they’ll get several nice pieces and multiple first-round picks. But any trade for Embiid basically would jumpstart The Process Part 2. And if we learned anything from The Process, nothing is guaranteed.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
If Embiid requests a trade in the future, it looks like the Lakers will be one of the many teams interested in acquiring the 2022-23 MVP, who averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season while shooting 54.8% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
