Are The 76ers Going To Trade This MVP?
With James Harden demanding a trade, the Philadelphia 76ers may see their championship window closing. Could Joel Embiid request a trade?
Joel Embiid has come a long way with the 76ers. He dealt with injury issues extremely early, but constantly showed flashes of the dominant talent he became. The 76ers had the infamous tanking process to acquire their next young stars, but everything that could have gone wrong for Philly went wrong.
The 76ers Can't Find A Second Star
Though the 76ers haven't been able to acquire a championship, it's not because of a lack of trying. Philly had an elite core of Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid, but they ultimately fell short of a finals appearance.
The 76ers let Jimmy Butler go after that season, hoping that move would unlock Ben Simmons. However, Ben Simmons was never able to develop. Simmons was a great defender and facilitator but lacked a jump shot and that was why the 76ers were never able to get out of the hump.
Following a disappointing second-round exit, Ben Simmons demanded a trade. The 76ers later traded him for James Harden. Harden was supposed to truly unlock the 76ers' potential and Joel Embiid with his dynamic scoring ability and his elite passing. However, Harden started to regress. Harden, was still good though, averaging 20 points and 10 assists every game. The 76ers, still fell short with Embiid and Harden.
Harden now demanded a trade and is unhappy with the 76ers, which leads to the question, how much more patient with Joel Embiid be with this?
The 76ers Would Be Selling High
Philly may think with Harden gone, they don't have enough star power to compete in the East. If that's the case, trading Embiid might be the best option. Embiid is fresh off of averaging 30 points and an MVP trophy, and a team like the Knicks will surely be interested. The Knicks giving pieces like Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and R.J. Barrett would give Philly a nice young core to build around Maxey.
While it's likely Embiid is going to stay with Philly, if he were to get traded, this is the ideal time.
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