This NBA offseason has the potential to be momentous. There are plenty of dominos to fall – large ones, too. All around the league, there are situations that could shape the league once they’re resolved.
The Philadelphia 76ers are at the center of plenty of them. James Harden has requested a trade. Will Joel Embiid follow? We don’t know. With that said, it’s a possibility.
Embiid recently made some comments that suggested that he’s open to the possibility of playing elsewhere. Could the Atlanta Hawks acquire him?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Trae Young, F/C Onyeka Onkongwu, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: C Joel Embiid
Of course, the Hawks are another team to watch. They’ve been central to trade rumors all summer. One of their dominoes has already fallen. The Hawks were rumored to be shopping John Collins for years. This summer, they finally moved him.
Is that the biggest move they’ll make? It’s hard to say. We’ve seen Clint Capela in rumors, and we’ve seen De’Andre Hunter in them as well. The Hawks may not be finished.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
For a while, Trae Young was in his share of rumors as well. Lately, those rumors have started to die down. Would they move their franchise point guard for Embiid?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
We think so. This is the league’s reigning MVP. This wouldn’t be the last move the Hawks would make this summer. They’d still have to deal with Capela. With that said, they’d be able to get some quality win-now pieces for the big man.
What would that leave the Hawks with? A lot. They’d be surrounding Embiid with Dejounte Murray, Hunter, AJ Griffin, and whoever they were able to get for Capela.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
That sounds like a contender to us. This isn’t necessarily a hot rumor – you won’t find reports linking Embiid to the Hawks. Still, this deal would make them a better team, and could insert them into the league’s title picture. What does it do for the Sixers?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Well, it doesn’t make them better. At least, not yet. With that said, Trae Young is significantly younger than Embiid. This is a mini-rebuilding move for the Sixers. Does it do enough for their future?
Some will suggest otherwise. They’ll say that if the Sixers are trading Embiid to rebuild, they need more draft capital. Respectfully, we disagree. After all, the Sixers owe the bulk of their draft capital elsewhere.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
They’re not getting it back. With that in mind, a core of Young, Tyrese Maxey, and Onkongwu should keep them relevant while also improving their future outlook. If this momentous deal is on the table, and Embiid wants out, the Sixers ought to make it.
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