CBS Sports analyst proposes bold new plan for 76ers' future 

The Kevin Durant sweepstakes is running rapid throughout the NBA world. Media outlets and fans continue to speculate where the future Hall of Fame forward will end up for his 18th NBA campaign. In fact, CBS Sports NBA writer Brad Botkin made an interesting declaration that involves Durant and the Philadelphia 76ers. 

"I am trading this pick if Kevin Durant is coming back to me. The Sixers are in desperation mode, they've got to maximize these next couple of years and it is not going to happen with the trio of Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey ... there is too many health concerns," Botkin said.

The 76ers currently have the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft on Wednesday as Philadelphia's 2024-25 campaign was riddled with injuries to premier players such as Joel Embiid and Paul George. 

Embiid, 31, has a long track record of injuries that have kept him out of ample games throughout his tenure with Philadelphia. In fact, Embiid has participated in 446 games while having missed 400 games in his career. There is no doubt Embiid, when healthy, is one of the best in the world, but due to his injury history, it seems as though the 2023 MVP's prime is close to ending.

As for George, he signed a four-year, $212M dollar contract last offseason. It is fair to say George hasn't performed to the standard of his lucrative contract. Yes, George is 35, but his impact on the court on both ends have waned immensely, averaging 16.2 points per game in just 41 games due to injury in his debut year with the 76ers and could already be on his way out. 

Durant would be a monumental upgrade over George and would likely make Philadelphia contenders again in the Eastern Conference. 

Botkin also conveyed that Phoenix doesn't have a lot of leverage in future drafts, due to the acquisitions of Durant and Bradley Beal. Phoenix gave up a lot of assets to bring in the two stars in hopes to contend for a championship which didn't come to fruition.

The tandem of Maxey, Embiid and Durant would definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. Maxey continues to prove that he's one of the associations rising stars. The 24-year old guard averaged 26.3 points (career-high) and 6.1 assists last season. 

Durant, who will turn 37 in September, is coming off an All-NBA caliber campaign despite the Suns' lack of success, averaging 26.6 points and 6.0 rebounds on 52.7% shooting from the field. The 2014 NBA MVP was just three games shy of the 65-game minimum to qualify for league awards.

Philadelphia has been "trusting the process" for a decade now and the fanbase is clamoring for a championship. 

Botkins intriguing thoughts came after the news that Rutgers star Ace Bailey canceled a pre-draft workout with the 76ers. However, this idea seems like the better option for Philadelphia at this juncture.