One NBA writer is proposing that the New Orleans Pelicans acquire Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster trade. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade between the Pelicans and Sixers:
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Joel Embiid, PJ Tucker
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valančiūnas, Dyson Daniels, 2024 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick (via MIL), 2024 and 2026 first-round pick swaps (via MIL)
“The Pelicans are primed for a superstar trade, as they feature a combination of young and established talent as well as extra future first-round picks to use as trade bait,” Swartz wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “The thought of Embiid joining Zion Williamson as one of the most dominant frontcourts in NBA history is worth giving up significant assets for.
“After this trade, the Pelicans would have a starting lineup of CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Williamson and Embiid, with Larry Nance Jr., Jose Alvarado, P.J. Tucker, Jordan Hawkins and Naji Marshall coming off the bench. That’s an elite team in the West, one that should compete for championships immediately.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Many people around the NBA believe Embiid will request a trade from the Sixers “sooner rather than later,” according to NBA insider Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. James Harden wants the Sixers to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers and the 2017-18 NBA MVP called Daryl Morey a “liar” during his Adidas China tour.
Embiid averaged 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds last season for the Sixers while shooting 54.8% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free-throw line. Philadelphia swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs but lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games.
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. However, Philadelphia has never gotten past the second round of the NBA playoffs in the Embiid era.
Embiid, who signed a four-year, $210 million contract extension in 2021, obviously wants Harden to stay with the Sixers, but Harden intends to “never wear” a Philadelphia uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Tucker appeared in 75 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged 3.5 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the field, 39.3% from beyond the arc and 82.6% from the free-throw line.
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