Rebuilding an NBA team is a process. Sometimes, it’s a lengthy one. Just ask the Philadelphia 76ers. For them, rebuilding wasn’t just a process – it was “The Process”.
The Sixers tanked for several years in an effort to land top lottery talent. To an extent, it worked. This team is built around Joel Embiid, who they landed in the high lottery. The Sixers have had hits and misses – Ben Simmons kind-of worked out, and Jahill Okafor didn’t – but Embiid has been their rock. With that said, there’s recently been speculation that he could be heading elsewhere.
After all, James Harden has requested a trade. His relationship with general manager Daryl Morey has obviously fallen apart. If the Sixers can’t replace Harden’s production, they’re likely to regress. In that event, a trade request from Embiid could follow. Could the Sixers send him to the Houston Rockets?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Kevin Porter Jr., F/C Jabari Smith Jr., G/F Amen Thompson, C Alperen Sengun, 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2026 First-Round PIck (BKN via HOU), 2028 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap- HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: C Joel Embiid
Meanwhile, the Rockets have been undergoing their own Process as of late. This team has orchestrated the biggest tank job since – well, since the 76ers.
For the last few years, the Rockets have been near the bottom of the standings. It’s been ugly. The Rockets have played an iso-heavy brand of basketball that’s difficult on the eyes. They’ve deliberately featured non-NBA players in their rotation. This has been a flagrant tank job. Was it worth it?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
It’s hard to argue otherwise. This team is teeming with blue chip prospects. If the Rockets don’t have a franchise-caliber player on this roster, they’re victims of bad luck. They’ve landed three straight top-4 picks, and they’ve selected well in the middle of the draft too. Should they really abandon course to acquire Embiid?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Probably not, honestly. There are a lot of reasons for the Rockets to decline this deal. They could easily determine that they’re not ready for a move of this magnitude. They’d be left without assets moving forward. The group that they’ve put around Embiid would have to contend – otherwise, this deal brings their rebuild to an abrupt conclusion.
With that said…couldn’t this group contend? The Rockets signed Fred VanVleet this summer. They also landed Dillon Brooks. Jalen Green looked poised to take a major step forward this season. Meanwhile. Tari Eason is likely already impactful enough to start on a contender. This team wouldn’t be anybody’s pushover.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
So, this would be a risk for the Rockets. Frankly, we probably wouldn’t take it. Still, it would be justifiable. Embiid is an MVP – isn’t this precisely the type of player you tank for? Of course, that leads us to another question – why would the Sixers give him up?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Well, the Sixers only do this deal if Embiid requests a trade. They should do whatever they can to appease the elite big man as the Harden saga unfolds. They do this deal if there’s nothing they can do to appease him.
In that event, they’ll look to rebuild. The Sixers could get more draft capital from another team. If that’s their focus, they should look to the Oklahoma City Thunder or the New York Knicks. On the other hand, shouldn’t recent lottery picks be more valuable to a rebuilding team?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Houston Rockets Updates
The big prize here may be Amen Thompson. He’s got boundless potential. The Rockets could be weary of his fit with Embiid – Thompson is remarkably similar to Ben Simmons – but the Sixers should be happy to construct a roster around him. Meanwhile, Sengun has already flashed star potential, and Smith Jr. has an elite physical makeup. All told, this could be enough to inspire the Sixers to undergo another process.
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