It’s been said that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If something is heavily rumored, at some point, you’ve got to think there’s some truth behind the speculation. That’s as true in the NBA as it is anywhere else.
With that in mind, there’s a lot of smoke around the Philadelphia 76ers right now. As a matter of fact, there’s some fire. James Harden’s desire to land on another team isn’t a rumour. By now, it’s an irrefutable fact.
Will a trade request from Joel Embiid follow? That’s where things get…smoky? Time will tell. Still, there’s certainly reason to speculate. The Sixers won’t have the assets to replace Harden. if they end up taking a major step backward, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see Embiid request a trade. Could the Sixers send him to the Orlando Magic?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Markelle Fultz, F/C Jonathan Isaac, F/C Wendell Carter Jr., 2024 First-Round Pick (ORL), 2025 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected – DEN via ORL), 2026 First-Round Pick (ORL), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – ORL), 2028 First-Round Pick (ORL), 2030 First-Round Pick (ORL)
Orlando Magic Receive: C Joel Embiid
If this is the end of the Embiid era, it’ll serve as a disappointment for Sixers fans. After all, they lived through The Process. The Sixers tanked for years on end to stockpile as much young talent as they could. With that in mind, they haven’t even made an Eastern Conference Finals run for their troubles.
What happened here? Well, the Sixers had a few misses in the draft. Jahill Okafor was a wasted pick – and from the Sixers’ perspective, so was Markelle Fultz. Still, the Sixers hit big on Joel Embiid. For a while, it looked like they’d hit big on Ben Simmons, too. This young duo was supposed to carry the Sixers for years.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Orlando Magic Updates
It didn’t go that way. Arguably, the fit between the two was always poor. That’s where the trouble started – Philly traded Simmons for the notoriously volatile James Harden. Harden requested a trade, and now, we’re here. Should the Sixers send Embiid to Orlando if he requests a trade of his own?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Reuniting with Fultz to begin another rebuild would be a cruel irony for the Sixers. It would speak to how quickly the rebuilding cycle runs its course in the modern NBA. The Sixers moved Fultz because he didn’t fit their contending timeline. Here, they’d be bringing him back because he’s still young enough to fit their new, rebuilding timeline.
Meanwhile, he’s not even the best young player the Sixers are acquiring here. In all likelihood, that would be Carter Jr. He’s a well-rounded big man that provides some defense, floor spacing and passing. Still, on the off chance that Jonathan Isaac can get healthy, he could actually end up being the jewel of this Embiid return.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Orlando Magic Updates
Yet, none of those players are the reason the Sixers would do this deal. They’re doing it for five first-round picks and a swap. Yes, the Denver pick is protected – if you think the Nuggets won’t avoid the bottom five of the 2025 lottery, we’re not sure which NBA you’re following. This is a sizeable return for Embiid. Should Orlando give it up?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
Yes, this is a sizeable return. Some Magic fans will question whether it’s worth it. If they don’t think it is, they must not want Joel Embiid. This deal has them landing the league MVP without moving either Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner. There’s no way to do that without giving up a massive return.
So, that’s what they’re doing here. At the same time, Carter Jr. is expendable if they’re bringing in Embiid. Meanwhile, the Magic must be growing tired of Isaac’s health concerns, and moving Fultz has some value of its own. The Magic have a logjam of young point guards, and this deal clears room for some of them.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Orlando Magic Updates
So, really, Orlando is primarily giving up draft capital. Yes, five first-round picks and a swap is a lot of it. If all of these pieces click, it’ll be worth the cost. The Magic will be a serious contender for the NBA title. If they aren’t? They’ll have to start their rebuild all over – but not before some rumors emerge, of course.
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