Philadelphia 76ers Superstar Named Likely Trade Candidate

76ers star center Joel Embiid was recently named as a likely trade candidate heading into the 2026-27 NBA season by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report. Embiid will enter the ’26-27 season as the starting center in Philadelphia, but if his availability is limited due to injury issues as it has been in recent seasons, Favale thinks the team will be forced to consider a trade.

“The Sixers owe it to Embiid and themselves to see whether the could-be best five-man lineup in basketball meets the moment. Yet, urgency remains the default in Philly after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown,” Favale wrote.

“If Embiid’s knees can’t hold up, or if he plays like a fraction of his former self, the ‘How many picks must they attach to move the three years and $187.8 million left on his deal?’ question will need to be asked.”

The Sixers aren’t entering the season actively looking to trade Embiid. In fact, the opposite is true. The hope within the organization is that Embiid can remain healthy and be a major piece to the puzzle moving forward for the new-look Sixers.

However, if things go the other way and the big man continues to be hampered by injury issues, that could work to force Philadelphia’s hand. Of course, finding a trade for Embiid would be easier said than done given the sheer size of his contract, which still has three years and $191 million remaining on it.

Joel Embiid ‘Healthy’ and ‘Motivated’ Heading into NBA Season

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The good news for the 76ers is that, by all accounts, Embiid is very healthy and motivated this offseason. Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey said as much earlier this week.

“Joel is great. This is like the first summer I think in a while that he’s been healthy, so he’s been in the gym working out. He’s been lifting weights. He’s extra motivated. He wants to play a lot of games, and he’s excited about the group we’ve built now, Gansey said of Embiid.

“Even before these trades and LeBron, I think he was excited. So he’s motivated to have a good year and he’s ready to go.”

If Embiid can maintain the physical momentum that he’s apparently established for himself this offseason, then a potential trade won’t be something that the Sixers even need to consider.