Joel Embiid Hints at 76ers Trade; Could Mavs Make His List?

Joel Embiid made some comments that hinted at his future with the Philadelphia 76ers being uncertain. Do the Dallas Mavericks now have enough assets to pull off a blockbuster deal if the opportunity arises?

No matter what section of the NBA calendar we’re in, there’s always potential for drama. Throughout free agency, trade rumors around Damian Lillard, James Harden and Pascal Siakam have dominated media headlines. Could another star player be joining them in the near future?

On an episode of Uninterrupted, Philadelphia 76ers superstar and reigning MVP Joel Embiid made some comments hinting at uncertainty when it comes to his future with the team.

"I just want to win a championship,” Embiid said. “Whatever it takes. I don't know where that's gonna be. Whether it's in Philly or anywhere else. I just want to have a chance."

Given the Dallas Mavericks’ desire for a veteran starting center this summer, we can safely assume they’d be interested in acquiring a big man who averages 33 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game … especially one who, by all accounts, seems to have a good relationship with Luka Doncic. If Embiid does end up asking for a trade, it wouldn’t be a shock if the Mavs are on his shortlist.

However, when it comes to a potential Embiid trade, the Mavs must consider the following:

1) Is the price worth it? It’s not that we’re saying the Mavs would be giving up the better players in a potential Embiid trade, but such a deal would certainly gut their depth — even more so than the Kyrie Irving trade did last season. And we all saw how that turned out. Dallas replenished it’s depth this summer while adding young core pieces, and breaking that up for a player who might not be the perfect fit with Doncic would be a risk.

2) Will Embiid’s body be able to hold up? He’s had injury concerns throughout his career, and he still has four years left on his contract worth a total of $210 million.

3) Would it be better to build organically? The Mavs have seen what failed blockbuster trades can do to their immediate future. Just look at the Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019 that Dallas still hasn’t fully paid in full yet. Yes, it will take time for Dereck Lively II and OMax Prosper to fully develop, but both are exactly the type of players Doncic needs next to him at the wing and center positions. Having high-end talent on team-friendly contracts — and then finding a way to sign Kevin Durant in free agency while retaining most of that talent — is what helped the Golden State Warriors become a dynasty.

It’s easy for Mavs fans to get worked up with every rumor that pops up about a star potentially wanting to be traded, but now that Dallas has embraced investing in the draft while adding other young pieces like Grant Williams, made the star-gazing should be put on hold … at least until February.

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