PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers have played very well in the first few months of the season. A year after being a lottery team, they currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. A big reason for that has been the play of the backcourt.
Tyrese Maxey has been named an All-Star starter, and V.J. Edgecombe has shown he has All-Star potential. Joel Embiid is finally healthy and is starting to look like an All-Star player again. There are questions about whether or not the 76ers will be active at the trade deadline.
Embiid is hoping that the Sixers are active at the trade deadline. Following a game against the Kings, Embiid had some harsh words for the Philadelphia front office.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid shoots the ball. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid Gives Front Office Some Words
Embiid gave a harsh, but fair, assessment of how the front office has operated in the last few years.
“In the past, we’ve been ducking the [luxury] tax, so hopefully we think about improving because I believe we have a chance. I hope that at least we get a chance to just go out and compete because we got a good group of guys in this locker room, and the vibes are great.”
Those comments show that Embiid is clearly frustrated with how the front office has operated around the trade deadline in the past few years. However, the Sixers did decide to sign Paul George to a massive free agent deal in the summer of 2024.
That signing was supposed to make them title contenders. Embiid clearly feels that they are good enough to win a championship if they get some help at the deadline this season. Perhaps this comment towards the front office is him pushing them to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In any case, Embiid is giving the front office his thoughts on what the team should do moving forward. Right now, the Sixers have the 14th-best offense in the league. They also have the 14th-best defense in the league, so they are firmly an average team.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid dribbles the ball. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The 76ers Have Assets to Make a Big Trade
Philly does have the assets to make a big trade if they wanted to. Any trade would likely have to include the contract of George, which is a big contract to move. They also have some draft capital that they can trade if they want to make a big move or some moves around the fringes.
Staying healthy is something that the 76ers require in order contend for a championship. Embiid has struggled to stay healthy in the postseason in past years, which has ended any shot they have of winning a title. Perhaps that’s why the front office hasn’t made many moves in the past.
The trade deadline is in a week, so the Sixers have to decide whether making a move is worth it with the current roster and what price they are willing to pay.