Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid’s motivation leans more toward “personal than team goals,” according to NBA insider Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports. Many people around the NBA believe Embiid could request a trade from the Sixers sooner rather than later since James Harden wants to get traded and called Daryl Morey a liar.
“A number of sources with ties to the club have said Embiid’s motivation leans more toward personal than team goals,” Bulpett wrote. “And the Sixers source said, ‘There’s a lot of truth to that. But the guy is a legit major force in this league, and there ain’t too many of those. And now that he’s got his MVP, the next thing a guy looks at is legacy — and legacy is all about winning.'”
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. However, Philadelphia has never gotten past the second round of the NBA playoffs in the Embiid era.
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.
The New York Knicks and Houston Rockets are teams to watch in the Embiid trade sweepstakes if the superstar requests a trade from the Sixers, according to NBA insider Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Embiid developed a close relationship with new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka when Udoka was an assistant coach on the Sixers. Meanwhile, since Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Embiid’s agent, some people around the NBA believe New York would have an advantage in Embiid trade talks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Embiid, who signed a four-year, $210 million contract extension in 2021, wants Harden to stay with the Sixers, but Harden intends to “never wear” a Philadelphia uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
