Joel Embiid is not expected to request a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers despite James Harden asking out, according to NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports.
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option and is working with the Sixers on a trade. The former MVP wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“While there is speculation about what the departure of Harden, on the heels of the firing of coach Doc Rivers, means for Embiid’s future in Philly, executives around the NBA don’t think it will lead to an Embiid exodus: ‘No, just no way,’ one GM said flatly when asked about Embiid asking out. ‘He is a different kind of character. He is a lot more like (Damian) Lillard and (Bradley) Beal because he wants to be loyal to the team, he wants to stay there, he has a lot of appreciation for how he has been treated there.
‘Now, his contract is up in (2026) so that’s three years. It’s tough, the position he is in. If we’re still talking about this in three years, you’d expect the story to change by then.'”
Embiid signed a four-year, $210 million maximum contract extension with the Sixers in August 2021. Philadelphia has never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era.
The New York Knicks have loomed as the leading suitor for Embiid if he requests a trade, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Since Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Embiid’s agent, some people believe New York would have an advantage in the Embiid sweepstakes if the Kansas product hit the trade block.
It will be fascinating to see where the Sixers trade Harden and what type of package they get in return. The franchise must surround Embiid, who won the 2023 MVP Award, with the right pieces.
In 394 regular-season games with the Sixers, Embiid is averaging 27.2 points and 11.2 rebounds. He has made six All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams.
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