One NBA writer believes Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid could be the next star to request a trade. The Sixers have never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era and James Harden has requested a trade.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report thinks if the Sixers can’t surround Embiid with a championship roster, the All-Star big man may “have to start searching for a club that can.”
“He wants to contend right now, as he absolutely should,” Buckley wrote. “While he struggled at times in the playoffs—while navigating around a knee injury—his regular-season work was extraordinary. He captured a second consecutive scoring title with a career-high 33.1 points per game. He also became the first player to average 30 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 blocks in multiple seasons. (Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob McAdoo are the only other players to ever hit those marks.)
“He belongs in the championship race. If he doesn’t think the Sixers can get him there, he’ll have to start searching for a club that can.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Embiid caused a major stir when he told LeBron James’ business partner, Maverick Carter, his thoughts on what lies ahead: “I just want to win a championship, whatever it takes. I don’t know where that’s going to be, whether it’s in Philly or anywhere else.”
Some people around the NBA thought Embiid was upset at the Sixers since Harden requested a trade.
However, it appears Embiid isn’t looking to get traded by the Sixers, who signed the center to a four-year, $210 million contract extension in 2021. Embiid hasn’t spoken to the franchise about wanting to get traded according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The Sixers’ belief is that Embiid would like to spend his entire career with them, similar to Dirk Nowitzki with the Dallas Mavericks and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In 394 regular-season games with Philly, Embiid is averaging 27.2 points and 11.2 rebounds. He has made six All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams and won one MVP.
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