Generally, an NBA team doesn’t like to trade a star player. Yet, there are exceptions to every rule. Under some circumstances, it makes the most sense for a team to trade a superstar. Perhaps they’ve requested a trade – or it might just be time for them to move on.
Look at the Philadelphia 76ers. They should be trading James Harden any day now. He’s requested a trade, and with an expiring contract, he’ll leave the team next summer if they don’t move him.
Some have speculated that Joel Embiid could request a trade shortly after his co-star departs. On the other hand, no member of the Toronto Raptors has requested a trade to our knowledge.
Still, some have suggested that it could be time for the Raptors to move on from their stars anyway. It’s possible. Yet, the Raptors were linked to Damian Lillard this summer.
Could this team be interested in trading for a star? How about Embiid?
NBA Trade Proposal — Toronto Raptors Land Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: C Jakob Poeltl, F/C Chris Boucher, F/C Thaddeus Young, F Scottie Barnes, F Gradey Dick, F/C Precious Achiuwa, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR0, 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: C Joel Embiid
NBA teams may not like trading star players. Sometimes, they’ve got to do it anyway. In fact, teams are being forced to trade stars more often than ever before. This is the age of player empowerment.
At least, it’s the era of star player empowerment. If you’re one of the best players in the NBA, you’ve got a lot of options. That said, we may have seen the limits of that optionality this offseason.
Lillard was widely known to be seeking a trade with the Miami Heat. The Heat didn’t have the assets to acquire him. As a result, Lillard wound up on the Milwaukee Bucks.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors Updates
Is star player empowerment dead? We wouldn’t go that far. Star players still have plenty of sway – it simply isn’t limitless. If the Raptors did acquire Embiid, would he be willing to join them?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do This Deal
Some Raptors fans probably expected a different deal. They’d have assumed that we’d send the Sixers OG Anunoby and a lot more draft capital. We thought about that. Ultimately, we felt that if the Raptors were acquiring Embiid, they’d want to keep their best win-now players. Anunoby is one of them.
Is Scottie Barnes? We’re not sure. Parting with their would-be franchise player ahead of his third season would sting. At the same time, the Sixers are landing Joel Embiid. He’s one of the best players in the NBA. Embiid just won the MVP award.
The Raptors would build their entire offense around him, with Pascal Siakam as their second option. That should make them bonafide title contenders. Meanwhile, the Raptors may not need to worry about Embiid’s willingness to join them.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors Updates
He’s close with Pascal Siakam. If the big man is willing to join Canada’s only NBA team, they should be interested in acquiring him.
Should the Sixers send Embiid north of the border?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do This Deal
The 76ers don’t do this deal unless Embiid requests a trade. Let’s assume that happens – after all, it does feel possible. If James Harden departs, the Sixers aren’t likely to replace him at market value. They may regress, and that may cause Embiid to seek a new home.
In that event, this is a good deal for the Sixers. Sure, some would prefer that they receive more draft capital. We’ll use the same logic for Philadelphia that we did for the Raptors – they’re landing Scottie Barnes.
He’s got superstar potential. The Sixers should have him valued at roughly the cost of a few first-round picks. Besides, the Sixers already have Tyrese Maxey on their roster.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors Updates
They’re adding some other quality young players here, too. The Sixers could expedite their rebuilding process by making this deal – even if it means trading a star.
