The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off their worst season since the 2015-16 campaign, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-58 record.
The Sixers were expected to make a deep playoff run last season after signing Paul George to a four-year, $211.6 million deal. However, injuries to several key contributors, including 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, derailed their season.
Injuries have been a consistent storyline for Embiid and the 76ers. The seven-time All-Star was selected with the third overall pick in the 2014 Draft but missed his first two seasons due to a lingering right foot injury. He has appeared in more than 65 regular-season games only twice in his career.
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Bulls acquire 76ers’ Joel Embiid in blockbuster mock trade
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently put together a mock trade for every team, predicting the deals each might make if the deadline took place before the regular season. His proposed trade for Philadelphia would send Embiid to the Chicago Bulls, giving the Sixers a key piece toward a retooling effort along with a future first-round pick.
Here’s Bailey’s proposed trade:
76ers receive: Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Noa Essengue, 2029 first-round pick
Bulls receive: Joel Embiid
Embiid’s durability has been a long-standing concern for the Sixers, and he has played just 58 regular-season games over the past two seasons. The 76ers haven’t advanced past the conference semifinals since 2001, and the franchise may be ready to move on if that trend continues.
Essengue, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, could develop behind Paul George on a team that already features several young players, including fellow draftmate V.J. Edgecombe and 2024 first-round pick Jared McCain.
Given Embiid’s injury history and lucrative contract, Philadelphia’s return in any trade would likely be limited. If the Sixers’ struggles persist this season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up on the trade block.
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