Joel Embiid’s future with the 76ers is a big topic entering the start of the NBA season, as Philadelphia has yet to make it to the Eastern Conference finals with the center. With James Harden continuing to sit out of practice while waiting for a trade, the 76ers will begin the season in a state of flux.
NBA fans and analysts are wondering whether Philadelphia will trade Embiid and regroup, and the Knicks have become an early potential landing spot. On FanDuel’s Run It Back show, former NBA forward Chandler Parsons went as far as to predict that Embiid will be traded to New York this season.
“I think once they get off to a slow start, James Harden holds out and they inevitably move him, I think, come post-season of this year, you see Joel Embiid on the New York Knicks,” Parsons said.
“Come post season of this year, I think you see Joel Embiid on the New York Knicks” 👀@ChandlerParsons doesn’t think Embiid finishes the season on the 76ers@ShamsCharania | @TeamLou23 | @MichelleDBeadle | @FanDuelTV pic.twitter.com/NA1VWtk3pV
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) October 24, 2023
Earlier on Tuesday, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Knicks would make acquiring Embiid their top priority if he becomes available. Pompey added that a Knicks trade package would likely include three “key players,” with Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier and Mitchell Robinson all potentially available.
Parsons added that he thinks New York would be willing to trade “anybody not named Jalen Brunson” for Embiid. The Knicks enter this season with one of the youngest rosters in the league, as the team only has one player age 30 or older.
Embiid has four years left on his contract, which includes a player option in 2026, but he will turn 30 this season. If Philadelphia trades Harden and starts slow, the team could decide to sell high on Embiid and start fresh.
