Fans of young, rebuilding NBA teams can be skeptical about making win-now moves. They want to see how the young core gels before they start consolidating it. Moreover, bad teams should hesitate to surrender assets. If you were the worst team in the NBA, that holds especially true.
Last year, that dishonorable distinction went to the Detroit Pistons. Still, everyone knows that losing games has its own benefit. The Pistons entered the 2023 draft with the best lottery odds. Unfortunately, they landed the fifth overall pick – the worst possible outcome for this team.
It’s not all bad. The Pistons still have a surplus of young talent. Still, they missed out on their opportunity to land generational big-man prospect Victor Wembanyama. Could they trade for an already-generational big man in Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Joe Harris, F/C Marvin Bagley III, C James Wiseman, C Jalen Duren, 2024 First-Round Pick (DET), 2026 First-Round Pick (DET), 2028 First-Round Pick (DET), 2030 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: C Joel Embiid
We know. We can already hear the criticisms. Embiid to the Pistons? Really? What on earth are we thinking?
We’re thinking that you’re a bit behind the times. Have you been paying attention to the modern NBA? If so, you should have learned to expect the unexpected. By now, nothing should be seen as impossible. This is the most unpredictable league in the world.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Phliadelphia 76ers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Is this likely to happen? Not at all. Is it impossible? That’s a different question. Anyway, we’re asking the wrong questions. It doesn’t matter whether the Pistons are likely to do this deal. What matters is whether they should? Should the Pistons make a move for Joel Embiid?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
Sure. Realistically, it doesn’t matter how the Pistons performed last season. What matters is how long a team has been rebuilding. For example, the Washington Wizards just traded Bradley Beal – they wouldn’t trade all of their assets for Embiid. By contrast, the Pistons have been rebuilding for a long time. This team has stockpiled enough talent. How would that talent look alongside Embiid?
We think it would look pretty great. Cade Cunningham won’t have any problem feeding the big man on the interior. He’s got the type of passing chops to maximize Embiid. Meanwhile, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson will thrive in the space created by the Pistons’ two best players. Finally, having Bojan Bogdanovic on the perimeter could make this dynamic unguardable.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Phliadelphia 76ers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Once again, we’re not saying this is a likelihood. Still, it’s justifiable. The Pistons can’t afford to keep playing the lottery – they’ll have too many players to pay if they do. Here, they’re consolidating assets early in a push for the playoffs. Should the Sixers help them make that push?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers won’t rush to do this deal. That’s fine – they couldn’t if they wanted to. The Pistons just traded for Joe Harris. They’d need to wait until his restrictions lifted. Meanwhile, the Sixers would want to wait until Embiid requested a trade.
Even then, the Sixers might wish to negotiate something different than this with the Pistons. They could insist on Jaden Ivey. In that event, the Pistons would likely pass. Fine. The Sixers should entertain this deal anyway. For what it’s worth, they’re getting an awful lot back here.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Phliadelphia 76ers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Obviously, the deal is highlighted by four unprotected first-round picks. Still, Jalen Duren has tremendous upside. He could be the Sixers’ big man of the future as they navigate another rebuild. Just don’t be shocked if they trade for the next available superstar either.
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