At times, we see a domino effect in the NBA. A major move doesn’t usually only impact the teams that are directly involved. Often, there is fallout. With that in mind, every NBA fan should have an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers.
By now, you’ve heard about James Harden’s trade request. Harden wasn’t available for the Sixers’ Media Day. This situation is growing toxic. It has to change. Eventually, the Sixers will be forced to move Harden. With that said, it’s difficult to imagine that they’ll be able to make a trade that makes their roster better.
What will come next? Some have suggested that Joel Embiid could request his own trade. If the Sixers regress this season, it feels probable that Embiid could get angsty. The Sixers may be facing a complete rebuild soon. Could they start that rebuild by trading Embiid for Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Trae Young, G Patty Mills, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: C Joel Embiid
Sometimes, it takes some time for the dominos to fall. A major move may not have immediate effects. That doesn’t mean that they won’t have an impact down the line. We may see the impact of those changes down the road.
Take the Hawks’ acquisition of Dejounte Murray. The short-term impacts are one thing. The Hawks struggled to win games last year with Young and Murray in the backcourt. They’re a pair of ball-dominant guards and may not be a good fit together. What could the long-term implications be?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks
Well, it could mean a Young trade. If you’ve listened closely, you know there have been whispers about this already. The Hawks could trade Young for several reasons. As talented as he is, Young is a defensive liability and potentially a locker-room problem. Should the Sixers really acquire him?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
It’s debatable. Young has his warts. Let’s focus on the positives. Young is one of the best playmakers in the NBA. His floor vision is remarkable. This is a cornerstone player. Young is the rare point guard that a team could build an elite NBA offense around.
It’s possible that the Sixers would prefer a different package. That would be justifiable if they’d rather net a massive return of first-round picks for Embiid. At the same time, it wouldn’t be necessary. The Sixers would now feature Young, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris. That should be a competitive team, and they’d be much younger than they are now. In time, the Sixers could attract supporting players that will complement their new star backcourt.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks
Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that for the most part, the Sixers owe their picks to other teams. If they accepted a draft-heavy package for Embiid, they’d have a poor roster – and no lottery picks to show for it for some time. With that in mind, flipping him for a younger, lesser star may be a better move. Should the Hawks move on from their talented young guard?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Hawks may be a team seeking a change in identity. If so, this team gives them one. Suddenly, Atlanta wouldn’t have a defensive liability on their roster. Meanwhile, they wouldn’t have to work to replace Young – they already have his replacement. After this deal, Dejounte Murray would return to his more natural point guard position.
Of course, he’ll remain Atlanta’s second option. That’s because they’re bringing in Embiid. He’s arguably the best interior scorer in the NBA. This deal would force the Hawks to overhaul their offense radically, but given the defensive trade-off they’d enjoy, it should be worth their time.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers & Atlanta Hawks
Yes, the Hawks would be almost entirely without draft capital following this deal. That’s fine. They’d have a duo of Murray and the reigning MVP. Meanwhile, they’d have other pieces to move. Clint Capela could net them a quality player, and they’ve got a lot of young players that rebuilding teams might like. In other words, acquiring Embiid would trigger a domino effect for this organization.
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