Joel Embiid, Joel Embiid trade, Philadelphia 76ers
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Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia 76ers face a tall order in trying to execute a Joel Embiid trade, given that the 2023 NBA MVP has a massive three-year, $187.8M extension that kicks in during the 2026-27 season.
However, NBA insider Jake Fischer has floated a hypothetical scenario that could be a win-win for another team, the Sacramento Kings, trying to get rid of a massive contract. That player would have to be 3-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who has two full years left on his four-year $186M max extension signed during the 2024 offseason.
Although Fischer views it as a “longshot scenario,” he thinks the idea could prove intriguing to both the Sixers and Kings.
Joel Embiid Trade Idea
“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 in his “Stein Line” newsletter.
“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.”
NBACentral
People around the league think a Joel Embiid-for-Domantas Sabonis trade could work, per @JakeLFischer
“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.
In some ways, the hypothetical trade could be a scenario in which the two teams inherit each other’s problems. While the perinially injured Embiid has failed to play 40 games since his MVP season in 2022-23, Sabonis played 19 games this year due to injuries.
Philadelphia 76ers in a Tight Spot
The 76ers fired Daryl Morey as president of basketball operations less than 48 hours after being swept by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. Many analysts felt the move was made due to Morey’s mishandling of finances, specifically giving the aging Embiid and Paul George massive max contracts a few years ago.
“Philadelphia is the only team with three players making at least $40 million next season,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote, while highlighting that Embiid is owed $58.1M next year, George $54.1M and Maxey $40.8M.
The insider explained why the Sixers have little flexibility to make roster upgrades.
“In a perfect scenario, the 76ers’ front office begins to gauge the trade market on Embiid and George while building a roster centered around Maxey and Edgecombe. But unless Philadelphia is willing to include draft capital, moving off the $300 million in owed salary is difficult,” wrote Marks.
“…Whoever takes over atop the 76ers’ front office will have options to build via the draft, the minimum-contract market and their own free agents. A trade is difficult considering 88% of the payroll next season is tied up in contracts for Embiid, George, Maxey and Edgecombe,” he added.