The Sixers are not actively shopping Joel Embiid. However, rival executives are doing their due diligence on the big man just in case Philadelphia decides to break up the Embiid-Ben Simmons duo this upcoming summer.
Let’s take a look at which teams would make the best reasonable destinations for Joel Embiid based on the potential packages and on-court fit.
5. Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler replied to Joel’s cryptic message on social media with “I know a place where villains are welcome.” While the Heat would be a fantastic fit for Embiid. It’s unclear how they would get the big man to Miami.
Would a package centered around Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson be enough for the All-Star center? Bam Adebayo doesn’t seem like a fit for Philly but perhaps Miami could always try to turn the transaction into a three-way trade, sending BAM elsewhere so that the Sixers could obtain either picks or a more desirable player. If there’s a way, Pat Riley will find it.
4. Oklahoma City
The Thunder can offer the Sixers basically any combination of future draft picks they want, having yielded a bevy of picks from dealing away Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Packaging several future first-rounders with a potential sign-and-trade for Danilo Gallinari and the offer looks appetizing.
3. Portland TrailBlazers
The Blazers have the right components to put together a package for Joel. C.J. McCollum would go a long way toward getting Philadelphia interested. Throw in a future first-rounder or a player like Zach Collins and the offer gets harder for the Sixers to turn down.
2. Golden State Warriors
I know I know, not another super team in Golden State but after trading away D’Angelo Russell the team has a valuable trade chip in Minnesota’s 2021 first-rounder. They also have their own selection this year, which could easily be a top-5 pick. Both of those picks in addition to Andrew Wiggins, who has some value around the league, would make a pretty desirable package (even if the Sixers flip Wiggins elsewhere).
1. Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal has the assurance of not being traded anywhere during the 2019-20 campaign. He signed an extension with the team earlier in the year and was not eligible to be dealt.
When the offseason comes around, that’ll be a different story. Rival teams are monitoring the situation in Washington, though all signs point to the franchise keeping Beal, as the front office wants to see the Beal-John Wall-Davis Bertans trio in action.
However, if the Sixers enter conversations with Joel Embiid on the table, the Wizards should be open to listening.
Embiid possesses a higher ceiling than Beal, though you could argue that Beal is more valuable due to his position and shooting. If Philadelphia simply wants the best player available in a trade rather than the best package, Beal is their answer. Both sides should think long and hard about a swap given each team has a pair of franchise players who are not the optimal fit.
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