One NBA writer is proposing that the Philadelphia 76ers trade superstar big man Joel Embiid to the San Antonio Spurs. Jamal Collier of ESPN proposed that the Sixers send Embiid to the Spurs for the first pick in the 2023 draft, a first-round pick in 2024, Doug McDermott, and Devonte’ Graham. Victor Wembanyama will be the first player taken in the 2023 draft.
“What about the league MVP for the No. 1 pick? Big for big? Embiid for Wembanyama? Both teams would be undergoing pretty drastic pivots in this scenario," Collier wrote. "For Philly, this would mark the official end of ‘the process era.’ but instead of a full rebuild, this ‘Process 2.0’ gets jump-started by another swing at a generational talent at the top of the draft. And San Antonio passes on the chance of a potential great player for a proven dominant center.”
Embiid won the MVP Award this season. He averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc, and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
“In the above trade scenario, San Antonio gets to clear a few more contracts off its books and keep all of its financial flexibility, but there’s a version of this deal that could just swap the centers straight up, with maybe an additional pick going to Philadelphia,” Collier wrote.
Embiid, 29, signed a four-year, $210 million maximum contract extension with the Sixers in August 2021. The All-Star will make $46 million next season.
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