When a star player requests a trade in the NBA, it’s a monumental event. Usually, there is some fallout. A player doesn’t request a trade in a vacuum. It can have a ripple effect all throughout the NBA.
For example, take James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers. He has requested a trade. Could that impact Joel Embiid’s future with the team?
If the Sixers regress, it could. It’s already been suggested that Embiid could request a trade if he’s not happy with the outcome of the Harden saga. Could he land on the Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, F Davis Bertans, F Ousmane Dieng, 2024 First-Round PIck (UTA via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (PHI via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (DEN via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Joel Embiid
Ideally, when a star player requests a trade, he creates a market. Lately, that hasn’t been the case. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers has a single team he’s willing to join: the Miami Heat.
Meanwhile, Harden is apparently singularly focused on joining the Los Angeles Clippers. What’s the problem here? Well, teams will hesitate to trade for a player who doesn’t want to join them.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Oklahoma City Thunder & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Thus, these players are limiting their own markets. This makes them difficult to move.Would Embiid do the same? Could he have his eye on some of the bigger markets throughout the NBA? Could the Thunder trade for him anyway?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Let’s ignore Embiid’s preferences for the time being. We’ve got no idea what they might be. Should the Thunder trade this much for Embiid? After all, this team missed the playoffs last season. Here, they’re investing a lot in a player who’s off their rebuilding timeline.
So what? The Thunder could accelerate their timeline. In fact, they will eventually have to consolidate their assets. Why not spend them on the reigning MVP?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Oklahoma City Thunder & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
That’s what they’re doing here. Embiid would be joining Chet Holmgren to form one of the most imposing defensive frontcourts in the NBA. On the other hand, he’ll join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to form an unstoppable duo. Should the Sixers help them assemble that duo?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Disregard the first two players coming on board here. Bertans is strictly a salary matcher here. Dort is a good player, but his primary function here is to make the money work. The Sixers could keep him – he’s young enough for a rebuild – or move him before the deadline.
On the other hand, Dieng counts. He’s raw, but this is a player with a unique combination of length and ball-handling ability. Dieng has some star upside.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Oklahoma City Thunder & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Still, that’s not the main point for the Sixers here. They’re landing five unprotected first-round picks. With those assets, the Sixers can start building around Tyrese Maxey. Hopefully, he won’t request a trade any time soon.
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