New York Knicks Rumor Joel Embiid Trade: An Offer Philadelphia 76ers Can't Refuse?
The New York Knicks have spent the past two summers locking up Philadelphia-based talents. One, however, has eluded their grasp.
New York has a solid foundation with former Villanova Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart all in for a long haul but any entry into the Eastern Conference penthouse will likely require the services of a disgruntled superstar from abroad.
Most of those efforts have reportedly centered on Philadelphia 76ers standout and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who could search for an escape as "The Process" crumbles around him. Embiid's status as a former Rose client at Creative Artists Agency only makes the pair an even more perfect match in the eyes of many.
Even with the 2023-24 season opener against Boston looming on Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), the Knicks have explored life-changing roster adjustments: Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer says that the Knicks continue to "closely monitor the situation" and that team president Leon Rose has made the Embiid watch his "No. 1 priority."
Ponpley also had the Knicks' potential shipment in such a deal.
"The Knicks are willing to offer a package that includes three key players, with Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, and Mitchell Robinson all available in exchange for Embiid, according to sources," Pompey reported. "A trio from that group would be paired with two or three first-round picks."
A potential New York Knicks deal for Joel Embiid (R, 21) is said to include Julius Randle (L, 30)
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One can argue if that's enough to gain Embiid independence from Philadelphia. It's perhaps surprising, for example, that Immanuel Quickley wouldn't be among the possible exports considering his lack of a long-term deal. Pompey himself notes that the Sixers probably wouldn't be comfortable shipping the face of The Process to an Atlantic Division rival.
But leverage continues to drift into the Knicks' corner: with the 76ers' own opener looming against Milwaukee on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT), no one knows if James Harden will take the floor at Fiserv Forum. Philadelphia has also hinted that an Embiid trade wouldn't be the harbinger of a rebuild but rather a simple recasting for a championship contention's production. Even if one can question if Randle's capable of being the headliner for a title run, there won't be many deals where a two-time All-Star will be on the table.
It's increasingly clear that the Knicks' finalized opening night roster is anything but ... well, finalized. Whether that means that Embiid is part of its final, contending iteration remains to be seen and the Knicks show no signs of backing down.
