Around the NBA, almost every team has a problem to deal with. Perhaps the Denver Nuggets are an exception – they just won an NBA championship. Otherwise, every team has something to contend with. Still, some teams have more pressing issues than others.
Take the Philadelphia 76ers. They’ve got major problems. James Harden has requested a trade. He doesn’t seem likely to recant that request. Meanwhile, some have suggested that Joel Embiid could end up making a trade request of its own. The Sixers are likely to have some franchise-altering questions to ask themselves soon.
The stakes aren’t quite as high for the Brooklyn Nets. Still, this team has problems. They’ve got a lot of talent, and a lot of draft capital. With that said, they are missing an offensive focal point. Could that focal point be Embiid?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, C Nicolas Claxton, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN), 2030 First-Round Pick (BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Joel Embiid
Most teams in the league may have problems. They’ve all got solutions. That’s how the league is structured. The lottery system is intended to ensure that no team gets stuck. That can be true even for teams that don’t own their draft capital.
After all, they can acquire draft capital from other teams. Sure, those picks may not land in the lottery – we didn’t say there were easy solutions. Still, teams can unexpectedly end up in the lottery – to someone else’s benefit. Look at the Orlando Magic. They didn’t expect to be selected twice in this year’s lottery – but the Chicago Bulls sent them the 11th overall pick.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Even then, any first-round pick is valuable. Teams can find talent at any point in the draft. Let’s return to the Nuggets – they landed Nikola Jokic in the second round. With that in mind, should the Sixers trade Embiid for so much draft capital?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Teams use draft picks to bring in talent. If they’re lucky, they’ll land a player who can win an MVP award. The Sixers already have such a player. Why would they move him?
Well, the Sixers will trade Embiid if he requests a trade. That’s virtually the only reason. We should look for the Sixers to hang onto their superstar big man unless he asks out. With that said, if he does, this is a good return. The Sixers are netting four unprotected first-round picks – including their own 2027 selection.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Moreover, Claxton is a tremendous addition to a team that’s likely to begin rebuilding. He’s one of the best, most versatile defensive big men in the NBA. He’ll be joining Tyrese Maxey as the Sixers’ new building blocks. Should the Nets help them get their rebuild underway?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Remember when we said that sometimes, teams unexpectedly sent other teams lottery picks? The Nets are at risk of doing just that. When they sent their future selections to the Houston Rockets for the foreseeable future, they had a roster full of superstars. Now, we’re not sure what to expect from Brooklyn next season.
Unless, of course, they acquire a superstar. This team is full of strong complementary pieces – the Nets are distinctly a superstar away from contention. With that said, most fans are probably expecting a playmaking guard. Why? Why not Joel Embiid?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Sure, the Nets could still use a game-managing floor general. Still, acquiring Embiid would put them in a different tier. The Nets would have him surrounded by elite two-way players – this team would be formidable. They may not even have any major problems by the end of the season.
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