The Philadelphia 76ers are wading in dangerous waters. The team’s star point guard is disguntled and wants out, and he seems intent on dragging the franchise’s top executive along with him. James Harden‘s vendetta against the Sixers could even cost Philadelphia its other superstar, the NBA‘s reigning MVP.
Two of the Eastern Conference’s premier teams are “circling” around Joel Embiid, who still has a long-term contract with Philadelphia but could soon be fed up with how Daryl Morey is running the franchise. It could force Philly into a tricky decision sooner rather than later.
The teams linked with Embiid
According to Yahoo! Sports, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks are two of the most interested parties in putting together a deal for Embiid, one of the most gifted players in the NBA.
Some believe that Morey is “covertly” hoping to kick off a full rebuild in Philadelphia in the coming seasons, but the 76ers have a title window open right now and are hoping to end a championship drought dating back to 1983. Morey is perhaps hoping the haul in trades for Harden and Embiid could begin a new era in Philadelphia, right around the time ownership plans to open a new arena — and he’s not expected to seriously consider a trade for Embiid at this time.
Embiid’s fit in Miami and New York
Embiid, who averaged 33 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, would have to request a trade for any negotiations over his future to begin in earnest. If he is moved, he is the kind of talent who would immediately transform a team and crack open a championship window.
The Knicks have not had a center of Embiid’s caliber since Patrick Ewing roamed Madison Square Garden in the 1980s and 1990s. He would be New York‘s biggest star acquisition since Carmelo Anthony and instantly make the Knicks title favorites. The franchise last won a championship in 1973.
The Heat have a penchant for acquiring superstar players despite possessing little apparent cap space. Miami, NBA finalists last season, is already working on a deal for Portland point guard Damian Lillard to pair with small forward Jimmy Butler, and rounding out the trio with Embiid would make the Heat prohibitive championship favorites.
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