In a rare bright spot for the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid delivered a couple of clutch performances during this year’s playoffs, but the 76ers were quickly swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Naturally, attention has once again shifted toward the star center’s future in Philadelphia. Embiid’s injury history is well documented, and rumors continue to grow that the 76ers could eventually explore trade options involving the 2023 MVP.
NBA Insider Reveals Long-Shot Joel Embiid Trade Scenario With Sacramento Kings
According to recent league insider reports, the market for the veteran big man may not be particularly strong.
Embiid has spent his entire NBA career with the 76ers, embracing the process during the franchise’s rebuilding years before helping lead the team back into contention with several dominant seasons.
The 32-year-old has built an impressive résumé in Philadelphia. He won back-to-back scoring titles in 2021–22 and 2022–23 before capturing the NBA MVP award in 2023.
Despite those accomplishments, Embiid remains the only MVP in NBA history never to reach the Conference Finals. The Sixers once again fell short in the postseason despite building a core around Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
With the organization now restructuring its front office following the dismissal of president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, speculation surrounding Embiid’s future has intensified. But according to Jake Fischer, there may not be many realistic trade pathways available.
“One longshot scenario that does get mentioned by rival team strategists is an Embiid-for-Domantas Sabonis swap with Sacramento … but even longshot might be underselling it,” Fischer wrote.
“Both former All-Star big men could probably use a fresh start, but there’s just no getting around the fact that Embiid, at 32, seems incapable of holding up for a deep playoff run. Which certainly shortens the list of potential suitors.”
Over the last three seasons, Embiid has not appeared in more than 39 regular-season games in a single year. He played just 38 games this season, once again battling injuries throughout the campaign.
While he still showcased elite talent during stretches of the playoffs, the primary concern surrounding Embiid has never been his ability but his availability.
Sabonis, who has also surfaced in trade speculation over the past year, carries concerns of his own. He appeared in just 19 games this past season while averaging 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds.
Another reason the potential swap has been discussed is the massive financial commitment attached to both players. Embiid is set to begin the first year of a three-year, $188 million extension that includes a player option in the final season, while Sabonis is entering the third year of a four-year, $186 million deal.
However, as Fischer emphasized, the scenario remains highly unlikely. While a change of scenery could theoretically benefit both stars, the injury concerns and financial commitments involved make any deal extremely difficult to envision for either front office.
