Trade demands have become increasingly popular in the NBA. It has changed the way that we think about the league’s landscape. It is no longer a foregone conclusion that a star player will stick with his team. It has become equally likely that, eventually, they’ll be on the move.
James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers has been at the forefront of these changes. He requested a trade from the Houston Rockets. Next, he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Now, he wants off of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden’s willingness to force his way out of town has changed the league’s discourse. Now, we anticipate trade requests. Take Harden’s teammate Joel Embiid. Officially, he’s continuously pledged his loyalty to the Sixers.
Yet, he’s widely regarded as a flight risk. If the Sixers regress after moving Harden, it wouldn’t be a shock if Embiid requested his trade.
Could the Sixers send him to the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal — New Orleans Pelicans Land Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Zion Williamson, C Jonas Valanciunas, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIL via NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: C Joel Embiid, G Jaden Springer
Are these developments good for the league? That depends on who you ask. The intuitive answer may be “no”. To be sure, this new flurry of trade requests has made it so that teams struggle to plan. They don’t know if they’ll be able to keep their most important players.
At the same time, it’s fun. A team’s fanbase may suffer when their star player requests a trade. Fans of 29 other teams have a reason to get excited.
Perhaps that star will end up on your team. Even if they aren’t running, it’s entertaining to see how the drama plays out. In the end, there’s little to be done about the changes.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Star players have realized they’re the most influential people in the NBA. That’s not something they’re going to forget. If Embiid eventually requests a trade, the Sixers must move him.
Should they flip him for Williamson?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do This Deal
Remember: this is all hypothetical. Embiid has not requested a trade. So long as that’s true, the Sixers shouldn’t move him. This was the league’s MVP in 2022-23. The Sixers ought to hope that Embiid is happy to stick around in the City of Brotherly Love.
Even then, this isn’t an obvious move for the Sixers. Some will suggest that if they’re moving Embiid, they ought to receive a mountain of draft capital in return. Taking a flyer on Williamson is comparatively risky. After all, he’s one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA.
Granted. At the same time, when healthy, Williamson has looked like an MVP candidate in his own right. He’s one of the most automatic paint touches in the league. Meanwhile, Valanciunas is a useful player as well.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Sixers could land their franchise player of the future here and potentially avoid putting their fanbase through the ordeal of another long rebuild. Should the Pelicans cut ties with Williamson?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do This Deal
Cutting ties with Williamson would not be easy. He was supposed to be a guiding light for this organization. Before the emergence of Victor Wembanyama, Williamson was the most anticipated NBA prospect since LeBron James.
Sure. Embiid is dominant right now. He just won the NBA’s MVP award. He’s also a good fit on this Pelicans squad. New Orleans is so stacked with quality wing defenders that they fielded a top defense last year in spite of having Valanciunas in the middle.
Imagine their stopping power if they replaced him with Embiid. Of course, Embiid isn’t strictly a defensive anchor. He’s also one of the best offensive players in the league.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Pelicans would be pairing him with Brandon Ingram and a platoon of strong defensive players. That could be a recipe for title contention. If it isn’t, they may have to deal with their own trade request in time – but that’s the NBA.
