The Philadelphia 76ers are facing yet another season of uncertainty and one of the largest looming questions surrounds the future of Joel Embiid.
With their season ending in a sweep to the New York Knicks, the Sixers are facing another uncertain offseason, but Joel Embiid’s future now feels less secure than ever. His comments after the game were reflective, discussing his health, legacy, and the current state of affairs within the organization. “I don’t know who’s going to be here, I don’t even know if I’m going to be here, but you know, whatever happens, happens,” Embiid stated.
It’s clear what type of player the former MVP is when he's healthy, engaged, and on the floor. He is a dominant two-way force who can elevate any team to elite status. The issue, which has been well documented, is his availability. He has only played 490 games out of a possible 984 and has also missed several playoff games. His unavailability always seems to hinder the Sixers at the worst time, leaving the team and fans alike wondering what might have been if he were fully available.
Another point of contention with Embiid is his contract status, namely, the remaining money on his deal. He signed a three-year, $192.9 million contract extension in September 2024 after the Sixers signed Paul George and extended Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers still put this deal on the table even with his checkered availability, lining up a potential big three for years to come. So far, neither George nor Embiid has played much, struggling to stay on the court and compromising the Sixers' depth simultaneously.
With HBSE President Bob Myers leading the search for a new President of Basketball Operations after parting ways with Daryl Morey, the roster, as it is currently constructed, could potentially be in flux. After the Knicks series, it was clear that this team needed more depth and a team built around three stars, as the CBA is currently constructed, puts you at a disadvantage. If the new president envisions a roster built around youth and depth, the team could be headed for major changes, including a franchise-altering decision to move Joel Embiid in an effort to reshape the team’s future.
Does Embiid have value? Could he be realistically traded? Take a look at some potential trades that could send the franchise player to another city for a fresh start.
Philadelphia receives:
F/C Domantas Sabonis
G Malik Monk
Sacramento receives:
C Joel Embiid
2029 first-round draft pick
A version of this trade scenario has already been floated around in league circles, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer.
“One longshot scenario that does get mentioned by rival team strategists is an Embiid-for-Domantas Sabonis swap with Sacramento… but even longshot might be underselling it,” Fischer wrote earlier this month. “Both former All-Star big men could probably use a fresh start, but there's just no getting around the fact that Embiid, at 32, seems incapable of holding up for a deep playoff run. Which certainly shortens the list of potential suitors.”
Is Sabonis of equal value to Embiid? No, but his complicated history makes determining his trade value very convoluted. In this scenario, the Sixers take on Sabonis, who makes less than Embiid, and his contract is off the books one year earlier. They will also have to take on Malik Monk and his contract. Monk could provide the Sixers with guard depth as a super sixth man and could bring much-needed shooting and shot creation.
Sacramento would take on Embiid’s next three seasons and a first-round draft pick because they are taking on the three years and the injury problems. The Kings could hope that the former 2023 MVP can drag them out of the bottom of the Western Conference and at least compete with the play-in teams. The Kings continue to take wild swings on the trade market, so there could be a real chance this scenario plays out.
Philadelphia receives:
C Rudy Gobert
G Donte DiVincenzo
Minnesota receives:
C Joel Embiid
2026 first-round draft pick
This trade scenario is intriguing because both big men get a fresh start while still remaining competitive. The Sixers get Rudy Gobert, with two years left on his deal, and he could be a defensive anchor and a lob threat for Tyrese Maxey. DiVincenzo would act as a salary filler, as he continues to recover after suffering a ruptured right Achilles tendon in late April.
Joel Embiid gets to join a team with another star guard and arguably one of the top 10 players in the NBA. In their previous matchups, Anthony Edwards and Embiid have both praised each other's performances and the dominance they can each show individually. The Wolves are also one of the best-equipped teams in the league to roster Embiid, with Naz Reid as a backup. Reid could start every game Embiid doesn’t play, back him up when he does, and play alongside him as well. Minnesota can’t get over the hump in the Western Conference, but they may try to take a swing here and hope that they can go on a run with a healthy Embiid in the postseason.
Philadelphia receives:
Jimmy Butler
Golden State receives:
Joel Embiid
2030 first-round pick
2027 second-round pick
2029 second-round pick
This deal would reshape both franchises, putting each on separate tracks for team building. For Golden State, this would pair Joel Embiid with Steph Curry after the Jimmy Butler experiment, which hasn't gone as planned for the Warriors. In theory, this could extend the Warriors’ championship window by giving them a dominant interior force that they haven’t had in the Curry era.
Jimmy Butler, who will be coming off ACL surgery at age 37, wouldn’t be expected to suit up for the Sixers until mid-way through the season. If he did return to play, he would bring two-way toughness, scoring, and ball handling, allowing Tyrese Maxey to play off the ball.
From a financial perspective, the Sixers would take on Butler’s expiring contract, offering a cleaner path to resetting the roster around younger players. For the Warriors, taking on Embiid’s contract would be a win-now gamble, which is why the Sixers would have to provide draft capital due to Embiid’s long-term deal. If the Warriors truly believe they have one more run in them and strike out on Giannis Antetokounmpo, this trade could be their plan B.
Ultimately, how realistic are any of these scenarios? Slim at best, but anything can happen in the NBA, and with a new regime about to form in Philadelphia, trading Joel Embiid could be a signature move to start their tenure.
MORE: Sixers star Tyrese Maxey named to 2025-26 All-NBA Third Team
