Kofi Inkoom
NBA analyst Marc Stein has provided additional information about Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the teams that might show interest if he decides to seek a trade.
Reports suggest that the New York Knicks and Miami Heat are monitoring Embiid due to potential trade requests. The 76ers’ offseason has been challenging, as guard James Harden’s relationship with the team strained when he chose to stay for the final year of his contract.
James Harden told NBA investigators that he called Daryl Morey a “liar” after Morey said he would trade him “quickly” after opting into his $35.6M deal for the 2023-24 season, per @ShamsCharania
76ers’ plan on keeping James Harden on the roster 👀 pic.twitter.com/rCoT16mecH
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) August 21, 2023
Stein mentioned that Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler have maintained a close relationship, which could potentially play a significant role in bringing the reigning MVP to the Miami Heat. “I believe that the Knicks and Heat are keeping an eye on the situation, hoping to be in a prime position if Embiid decides to request a trade,” Stein explained. “Both Leon Rose and William Wesley from the Knicks attended Embiid’s recent wedding, and although they used to be his agents, their presence holds significance. Additionally, Jimmy Butler’s strong connection with Embiid from their time as teammates in Philadelphia remains intact.”
During the 2022-23 season, Joel Embiid secured his inaugural MVP award and guided the Sixers to the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed.
He maintained an impressive average of 33.1 points per game, securing his second consecutive scoring title. In addition, he contributed with 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, all while achieving a shooting percentage of 54.8% from the field and 33.0% from three-point range.
Although the Sixers are committed to contending for an NBA championship and wouldn’t prefer to trade Embiid, if he expresses a desire to leave, Philadelphia might eventually need to accommodate his request.
Recent reports indicate that a considerable number of individuals within the league anticipate that Embiid will seek a trade from the team relatively soon.
While the specific details of a potential trade involving Embiid to Miami remain uncertain, the reigning MVP could serve as a strong contingency plan for the Heat if their attempts to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers don’t materialize this offseason.
Related Article : Heats and Knicks Monitoring Joel Embiid Trade
Despite Philadelphia’s aspirations, Embiid’s presence hasn’t translated to desired playoff success, with the team failing to reach the Eastern Conference Finals during his tenure. In the previous season, the Sixers held a 3-2 lead against the Boston Celtics in the second round of playoffs but faltered in the final two games of the series.
It appears likely that Miami will be in the mix for Embiid’s trade if he does indeed make the request to leave Philadelphia.