Joel Embiid Rumors: Many in NBA Feel MVP Will Eye 76ers Trade; Knicks, Heat ‘Waiting’

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It’s no secret the Philadelphia 76ers are in a difficult position as they attempt to maintain a championship contender around Joel Embiid. And their time with the reigning NBA MVP might be more limited than people realize.

Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill reported Friday that “many around the league believe Embiid will ask out sooner rather than later — and that a full rebuild is what Morey is covertly hoping for.”

Goodwill cited a source who said the league is “circling” and “waiting” to see how the situation evolves. The New York Knicks and Miami Heat were cited as especially interested parties.

Embiid is only approaching the first season of his four-year, $213.3 million supermax extension, but that might provide little in the way of assurances about his long-term future.

Kevin Durant was in the same position when he first requested and was ultimately granted a trade away from the Brooklyn Nets midway through the 2022-23 campaign. The circumstances behind Durant’s departure wouldn’t be all that different from what would trigger a trade request by Embiid, either.

Durant saw the writing on the wall after James Harden and Kyrie Irving left. The Nets’ championship window was all but closed for the time being.

The Sixers are quickly careening to a crisis point of their own with Harden engaging in open warfare with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.

If the 10-time All-Star is dealt, then Philly will inevitably take a step backward in the short term, and his continued presence may not be all that beneficial anymore when he’s this visibly disgruntled.

It wouldn’t come as a complete shock if Embiid is pondering an escape plan he’d attempt to execute in a few months or next summer.

The New York Post’s Zach Braziller reported in May there were “whispers” the veteran center would force the issue in the event Harden reunited with the Houston Rockets. Tim MacMahon of ESPN then reported in June on the The Hoop Collective podcast the Knicks were preparing for the possibility that the stuff in Philly will go haywire to the point where Embiid will ask out.”

New York wasn’t willing to meet the Utah Jazz’s asking price for Donovan Mitchell last summer and looked into a Bradley Beal trade with the Washington Wizards before he landed with the Phoenix Suns.

Perhaps Embiid is a player for whom the Knicks would be willing to cash in their best assets.

The Heat are a fascinating potential suitor given their ongoing interest in Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. When there’s a clear overlap between what Miami would offer for Embiid and Lillard, one has to be prioritized over the other.

The prolonged standoff with the Blazers over Lillard could be a blessing in disguise if it allows the Heat to be a factor in the Embiid sweepstakes.