Philadelphia 76ers insider Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks Joel Embiid could eventually request a trade from the Sixers depending on how the James Harden trade request turns out. The Sixers haven’t gotten past the second round of the NBA playoffs in the Embiid era.
“If you’re Embiid, you’re going to see how this thing plays out,” Pompey told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I think we’d all be naive to think that if it goes left that he’s not going to at least consider asking for a trade. I feel like when he made that statement a month ago (about winning a championship) when he said, and I’m paraphrasing, ‘If it’s in Philadelphia or anywhere else,’ that was a statement made to the 76ers’ front office that I’m paying attention to.
“I do feel like Embiid could ask to go elsewhere because of that. I think Embiid wants to be a 76er and end his career here, but at the same time, everybody wants to win championships, and they want to go to a place that’s going to enable them to do that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Since New York Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Embiid’s agent, some people around the NBA believe New York would have an advantage in the Embiid trade sweepstakes if the Kansas product hit the trade block. Embiid signed a four-year, $210 million maximum contract extension with the Sixers in August 2021.
Philadelphia’s 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. However, if the Sixers trade Harden — who has requested a trade — and don’t advance past the second round of the playoffs, Embiid could look for a change of scenery.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In 394 regular-season games with the Sixers, 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 Award. The Knicks and basically every contender in the NBA are paying attention to Embiid’s situation with the Sixers.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
