Proposed Trade Sees Sixers Flip Joel Embiid, Enter New Era

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Joel Embiid's health has been a significant issue for the Philadelphia 76ers in recent years. The former MVP suited up for just 19 games last season, as the Sixers hurtled into obscurity.

The All-Star center underwent his second meniscus surgery in 12 months back in April. By having the procedure early, the hope was that he'd be ready for when the 2025-26 season began. Unfortunately for the Sixers, that doesn't look like it's going to be the case.

Therefore, it may be time for Daryl Morey and the Sixers front office to begin looking at what life without Embiid could look like. In a recent article for ClutchPoints, Jedd Pagaduan proposed a deal that would end Embiid's tenure in Philadelphia and begin a rebuilding process for the Sixers.

"This package for the 76ers is on the lighter side in terms of player return; Claxton is a starting-caliber player, a classic rim-running lob threat who can swat shots, but his inability to space the floor caps his ceiling as a contributor to a winning team," Pagaduan wrote. "...The real return here lies in the first-round picks. The 76ers are betting (smartly) that the Nets will struggle for the next few seasons, with Embiid's health or lack thereof perhaps dragging the team down."

Trading Embiid would be a sizeable pivot from the Sixers front office. The entire roster has been built around his skill set. However, if there's limited faith that he will ever be back to the MVP version of himself, now could be the right time to part ways.

Another reason for the Sixers to potentially consider moving on from Embiid is that his long-term future in the NBA is far from guaranteed. When speaking via Sirius XM NBA Dash Radio on Sunday, July 27, Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey speculated that Embiid's career could be drawing to a close.

"I think Joel may know that the end is near, and this is just me saying, and it's kind of like explaining to people what he's been going through," Pompey said. "Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain (they're in) and how much they're going through. The thing I took from it was no matter who is there, the culture is the same. And I feel like Joel Embiid knows that it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he feels as though he can't play to the level he used to. I could be wrong. He could come out and have another MVP season. But that was my takeaway."

Philadelphia has shown significant patience with Embiid over the years. With a fresh young core emerging, which includes Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, Morey may feel that a pivot towards a younger roster may be the right move.

During Embiid's recent interview with ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, it was revealed that he currently doesn't have a timeline for when he will return to basketball activities.

"We don't have a timeline," Embiid told Akintoye. "Hopefully, sooner rather than later...I don't know how they (the Sixers) feel. The only thing I'd say is -- this is a business. It's all about the results...If I come back early enough and I'm still not myself, guess what? You're not winning any games."

Selling the Nets on acquiring a star who is rarely healthy wouldn't be easy. However, if Embiid takes his time with his recovery, and can prove that he's nearing his best, a rebuilding team could be tempted to roll the dice. Still, trading the All-Star would be a big change for the Sixers, and one they wouldn't take lightly.

However, if contending for a championship is the ultimate goal, the harsh truth is that Embiid's tenure has likely run its course.