Sixers Closer To Being Hit With Joel Embiid Trade Request

When James Harden asked the Philadelphia 76ers to trade him last summer and was ultimately dealt early this NBA season, word on the street was that Joel Embiid‘s patience with the organization was growing thin. A few teams, especially the New York Knicks, were supposedly keeping tabs on him in case he asked out.

But Embiid started putting together another dominant season, while the 76ers started winning games in bunches, and it looked like they were becoming championship contenders. Therefore, that trade talk was quickly shelved.

But now that Embiid has been out for a while with a meniscus injury and the Sixers have been struggling without him, and according to one writer, other teams are keeping an eye on the reigning MVP just in case he decides things aren’t working for him in Philly.

“There’s also pressure in Milwaukee (see: the Bucks firing their coach after a 30-13 start) on the heels of the Damian Lillard blockbuster last summer, and in Philadelphia, in the wake of the soured Harden experiment,” wrote Howard Beck. “Both franchises feature recent MVPs and a recent history of postseason flops. No one expects Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid to ask out, even if things go badly again this spring, but rivals are keeping an eye on both, anyway (and on Lillard).”

Philly appears to have a team that could contend for the NBA championship for at least a few more years when healthy. Embiid is 29 years of age (he will turn 30 in March) and in the middle of his prime. Guard Tyrese Maxey, who is 23, has emerged as a legitimate star guard, and he’s averaging 25.7 points and 6.4 assists a game this season.

It also acquired Buddy Hield, one of the league’s best and most prolific 3-point shooters, in a three-team deal just prior to the trade deadline. In four games with the Sixers, he has scored 22.3 points to go along with 7.5 assists while hitting 45.0 percent from downtown.

The team was in third place in the Eastern Conference as recently as late January, but it has now fallen to fifth place. While it is hopeful Embiid will return at some point this season after undergoing surgery, there is no timeline for him right now.