The Philadelphia 76ers shocked the NBA last week when they acquired five-time All-Star wing Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George, two future first-round draft picks, and two future second-round picks.
Many expect the blockbuster deal to transform the 76ers into legitimate championship contenders, but they may not be done making moves.
Some believe the team should consider trading injury-prone superstar center Joel Embiid for the right return. One Philadelphia radio host floated a proposal that would shake up the league even further.
Philadelphia Radio Host Proposes Joel Embiid Trade to Bring Back Former 76ers Star
On Wednesday, Joe DeCamara went on the “Willard & Dibs” show on 95.7 The Game, a San Francisco Bay Area radio station, and suggested the 76ers send Embiid to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for star forward Jimmy Butler.
“Another one from a Sixers standpoint that absolutely could be in play whether LeBron [James] is or is not a Sixer … a deal that makes a ton of sense both ways is that the Sixers want to get out from Joel Embiid to you guys [the Warriors] for Jimmy Butler,” DeCamara said. “Jimmy makes $56 million, Joel makes $57 million.
“Now, the rub is Joel has three years left on his deal, Jimmy Butler has one year left on his deal, so would the Warriors want an unbelievable all-world talent in Joel Embiid? … But there’s a huge risk there.”
“A deal that makes a ton of sense both ways is that the Sixers want to get out from Joel Embiid — [trade him to the Warriors] for Jimmy Butler.”@JoeDeCamara says an Embiid-for-Butler trade would benefit the Sixers and Warriors | @WillardAndDibs pic.twitter.com/M336bwmHpH
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 8, 2026
There has been talk that the 76ers could seriously contend for the 2027 title even if Embiid misses half the season, which is always a realistic possibility. He has appeared in just 96 regular-season games over the past three years, and while he continues to put up big numbers when he’s available, no one can trust him to stay healthy enough to log at least 60 to 70 games in a campaign.
Butler himself has tended to miss roughly 20 games a season over the years, and he’s coming off a torn ACL he sustained in January. Still, he’s a six-time All-Star with career averages of 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists a game, and he’s a proven leader and closer, especially come playoff time.
Butler took underwhelming Miami Heat rosters to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. Before that, he was a member of the 76ers for most of the 2018-19 campaign. It appeared they had a promising core consisting of him, Embiid, and Ben Simmons, but he left that summer to head to South Florida.
While Butler will turn 37 years old in September, he could help Philadelphia get to the next level. Meanwhile, Embiid could be an ideal second option next to Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry.
The 76ers haven’t gotten to the Eastern Conference finals since 2001 and haven’t won it all since 1983. Embiid helped popularize the phrase “trust the process,” but at this point, it may be time to end the process as far as relying on Embiid as a franchise player.
