NBA Betting Odds: Mavs Joining Joel Embiid Trade Sweepstakes?

The Dallas Mavericks have never had a true superstar center … but perhaps they could change that if reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid decides to request a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2023-24 season in a state of turmoil. James Harden appears to be the next co-star to depart, leaving Joel Embiid without an adequate supporting cast to contend for a championship. 

At some point, Embiid will face a tough decision regarding a potential change of scenery, if things continue to trend negatively for the Sixers. His public stance remains that he will be patient, but as in the case of any superstar in the modern era, patience tends to wear thin as underachievement continues. The Sixers have yet to reach the Eastern Conference Finals during his tenure and continue to fail to take the next step as a team.  

According to BetOnline.ag, the odds are against a midseason trade request (+200 for yes; -300 for no), but there is a much tighter set of odds for what next offseason could have in store — featuring +140 odds (7/5) of a trade occurring before the 2024-25 season, with -180 odds (5/9) of a deal not transpiring.

The Dallas Mavericks ranked fifth among the top odds for Embiid's next time if not the Sixers at 6/1. The other teams with greater odds of pulling off a trade of this nature include the New York Knicks (2/1), Miami Heat (3/1), Brooklyn Nets (4/1), and New Orleans Pelicans (5/1). 

Other listed teams with lesser odds mentioned were the Oklahoma City Thunder (15/2), Los Angeles Lakers (9/1), and Utah Jazz (10/1).

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In order to trade for a talent of Embiid's caliber, it'll surely require moving on from a variety of young players and future draft capital. What would the Mavs have to offer in the event they were a team the reigning MVP has interest in joining via trade?

The Mavs' best opportunity to make a splash trade would come next summer if they ultimately convey the first-round pick the team still owes to the New York Knicks as a result of the Kristaps Porzinigs trade agreement from 2019. In the interim, Dallas is limited to outright trading its 2027 first-round pick. The team could outright move first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2031 next summer, while also being able to include three future second-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps in 2026 and 2028. 

Another factor to consider is the impact the Mavs' young players display in the upcoming season, particularly the two rookies — Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. A young shot blocking big and a versatile wing have plenty of value around the NBA in possible trades. Josh Green could be of intrigue if he takes his game to another level in his fourth NBA season. Meanwhile, soon-to-be second-year guard Jaden Hardy is another young talent to watch. 

There will undoubtedly be rival teams better equipped to pull off a blockbuster trade for a talent like Embiid than the Mavs. However, the desire to join forces with talents like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could perhaps place Dallas much higher on a superstar's list of preferred trade destinations than in the past.