Rome wasn’t built in a day. It was destroyed in one. The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t build a contender overnight. It was a painful process – or, should we say, a painful “Process”. The Sixers tanked for several NBA seasons to accumulate the talent that’s currently on their roster.
Now, they might lose it. James Harden apparently wants to leave. In theory, that could lead to a domino effect that puts the entire organization back at the bottom of the league.
After all, who knows if a Joel Embiid trade request will follow? Plenty of people are already speculating. If Harden leaves, it wouldn’t be a shock if Embiid followed. Could he land on the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers receive: F/C Ben Simmons, C Nic Claxton, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2028 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN), 2030 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Brooklyn Nets receive: C Joel Embiid
We know. You’re laughing, and we don’t blame you. Ben Simmons back on the Sixers? Impossible. Simmons’ exit from the team was, to put it lightly, unceremonious. How could the Sixers bring him back into the fold?
They wouldn’t, really. You know how the negotiations would go here. The Sixers would insist on Mikal Bridges and draft capital. The Nets would refuse: if they’re parting with Bridges, they shouldn’t have to give up more than a pick or two.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Brooklyn Nets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
So, fine. Bridges is out. The Sixers want picks. Simmons has the only other moveable contract that the Nets can use to match Embiid. Cameron Johnson isn’t eligible to be traded. Could the Sixers really bring him back?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Ben Simmons will never play another game in a 76ers uniform. That should be obvious to everyone. If this deal transpired, more news would break shortly after. The Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons are working together to find a trade partner for Simmons. Good luck with that.
By now, Simmons is on, arguably, the worst contract in the NBA. The Sixers wouldn’t be able to easily move him. Still, that’s a bridge they can cross when they come to it. The Sixers land a young Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Claxton here.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Brooklyn Nets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Still, this is mostly about the draft capital. The Sixers are receiving a whopping six unprotected first-round picks for the league’s reigning MVP here. With this deal, they’d be starting from scratch. Should the Nets help them with that fresh start?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Of course they should. They’re bringing in the league’s reigning MVP. Does this deal leave Brooklyn without draft capital moving forward? It does. They’ll go from having one of the league’s best collections of draft capital to one of the worst. They’ll also have Joel Embiid.
Will they have lost Claxton? Yes. That’s immaterial. They’re landing a better player who plays his position, so they can afford to let Claxton go.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Brooklyn Nets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Think about it. Joel Embiid and Mikal Bridges flanked by a deep collection of quality 3-and-D wings. This deal gets the Nets back to title contention. They just need Joel Embiid to request that trade.
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