Graphic: The Strickland
The Philadelphia 76ers face team tension, with James Harden forcing his way out and being reluctant to play under Daryl Morey. Further complications arose when Sixers big man Joel Embiid removed references to the Sixers from his Twitter bio following disputes involving Harden and Morey.
Embiid is one of the best players in the game today, and the Sixers are eager to satisfy their reigning MVP. Even with Harden inevitably leaving, the Sixers remain a capable playoff team, boasting talents like Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and the potential returns from a Harden trade.
But given the Sixers’ messy offseason, there are murmurs that Embiid might eventually contemplate leaving the team. After all, Embiid hasn’t progressed past the second round of the NBA playoffs, and it’s understandable that he would desire more success in the upcoming seasons.
Taking this into account, and with Embiid signed to the Sixers through the 2026-27 NBA season, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko suggests the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks as potential trade destinations if Embiid decides to change teams.
“Another team is Houston, just because of the bond between Joel and Ime [Udoka]. Maybe in the next year or so… because obviously, if Joel stays this season and plays it out, that’s one thing. But moving forward, I do think New York and Houston are the two teams to watch if Joel said, ‘I want to leave, too.’”
The Houston Rockets are a team to watch for Joel Embiid, per @KellyIko
“Another team is Houston, just because of the bond between Joel and Ime [Udoka]. Maybe in the next year or so… because obviously, if Joel stays this season and plays it out, that’s one thing.
But moving… pic.twitter.com/qg89xrOGra— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 16, 2023
