Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers hasn't been a rumored trade target, perhaps a bit surprising given other rumors around the league about star players.
While many of the 76ers' struggles could be due to Embiid dealing with the injuries he has, there haven't been as many trade rumors as many would think.
However, in a proposed trade idea from Fade Away World with the Dallas Mavericks, the 76ers would move on from Embiid for the No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington. The trade would also move a 2031 first-round pick and a 2031 second-round pick to the Mavericks.
“His presence in the paint would significantly bolster the Mavericks' interior defense and scoring. However, concerns about his health persist, as he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in April 2025.
“For the 76ers, trading Embiid allows them to pivot towards a younger core. Cooper Flagg's potential as a future star provides a foundation for rebuilding. The addition of seasoned players like Thompson, Gafford, and Washington offers immediate support and veteran leadership. This move could help Philadelphia reset and plan for long-term success around Tyrese Maxey,” they wrote.
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Now, if Embiid were to stay healthy, this could be a deal that makes sense for the Mavericks. Allowing Anthony Davis to play the four while Embiid plays center would certainly be something that Davis seems interested in.
However, it'd be tough to justify trading for a player who played in 19 games last season and 39 the year before. With his nagging injuries, it also remains uncertain where Embiid stands.
When he's healthy, there's no debate that he's a top-three to four player in the world. He averaged a ridiculous 34.7 points during the 2023-24 season, a year after he averaged 33.1 points on 54.8% shooting.
He's excellent, but the injuries are very tough to ignore.