The NBA is a market like any other. There are buyers and sellers. Meanwhile, some parties control the market. It feels wrong to call the league’s players assets, but in a sense, that’s what they are. If you don’t have star players, you’d better have draft capital.
With that in mind, the Utah Jazz are sitting pretty. They’ve got a lot of young talent. Lauri Markkanen has emerged as a star. Yet, the Jazz are also one of the major players in the draft capital market. They’ve got one of the most impressive collections of first-round picks in the NBA. By contrast, the Philadelphia 76ers do not.
They do have stars. Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey are one of the most talented trios in the NBA. Soon, it may not matter. Harden has requested a trade, and some have suggested that Embiid could follow suit. If he did, could the Jazz make a bold move for him?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Collin Sexton, F/C Kelly Olynyk, G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, C Walker Kessler, G Keyonte George, 2025 First-Round Pick (CLE via UTA), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIN via UTA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CLE via UTA), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: C Joel Embiid
Like any market, the league is cyclical. Sometimes, that cycle gets broken. Last summer, some accused the Utah Jazz of breaking the league’s market. Who could blame them?
Who would turn down the package they received in exchange for Rudy Gobert? Nobody. The Jazz had no incentive to protect the trade value of the league’s other players. With that said – wow, did they get a lot for Gobert. It may have broken the league’s trade market. If Gobert is worth a few exciting young players and four unprotected first-round picks, exactly what is Joel Embiid worth?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Utah Jazz Updates
That’s the thing about value – it’s measured imprecisely. By now, we can mostly agree that Gobert wasn’t worth that cost. If that’s true, the market should eventually reset. Are the Sixers resetting it by accepting this return for Embiid?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
There’s some irony in addressing the Gobert trade here. Walker Kessler was part of it. At the time, he was an unproven, soon-to-be-rookie. Rest assured that Kessler’s performance as a freshman changed his trade value for the better.
In fact, that’s part of why the Sixers are only getting three first-round picks and a swap here – they’re getting Kessler. He looks like he’ll be one of the best defensive big men in the NBA for some time to come. He should be a building block for the Sixers if they made this deal. Meanwhile, they’re getting plenty of value aside from Kessler, too.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Utah Jazz Updates
What is Horton-Tucker’s place in this league? We’re not sure. Still, he’s got a unique wingspan – last year, he flashed more potential than he has in the NBA so far. Throw in Sexton and a considerable amount of draft capital, and this deal should work for Philly if Embiid requests a trade. Should the Jazz want him?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz are not the team you picture when you envision a team making a huge trade for a recent MVP. They should be. This team has the assets to make almost any move that they’d like. Knowing general manager Danny Ainge, that’s probably been the plan all along.
Why not Embid? The Jazz would need to do some homework before pulling the trigger here. They’d need to know whether Embiid is open to playing in a smaller market. If he is, this deal should suit them. If they added Embiid at this cost, they should be serious title contenders.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Utah Jazz Updates
After all, they’d be pairing him with Markkanen. That’s a star duo that rivals any across the Association. Meanwhile, the Jazz would still have Jordan Clarkson. They’d also have some exciting young players left to make another big move with. This is the type of move you can afford to make when you’re a major player on the market.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
