Joel Embiid-Centered Mock Trade Sends 4-Time NBA Champion to 76ers

Do the Philadelphia 76ers have a desire to get rid of Joel Embiid' three-year, $187 million contract?

It's fair to assume so, but it shouldn't come at the expense of dismantling the roster.

That's what a mock trade from FanSided between the 76ers and Dallas Mavericks centered on Embiid would do. The proposed details are as follows:

76ers receive: P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson

Mavericks receive: Joel Embiid, Labaron Philon Jr., 2029 first-round pick (via LAC)

This is a terrible idea for the 76ers.

Not only would they be parting ways with an uber-talented player in Embiid, but also a promising rookie in Philon and a valuable first-rounder.

Embiid, despite his availability woes, remains one of the NBA's most talented players. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 48.9% shooting in 38 games for the 76ers last season. Again, injuries will always be a concern with him, but it's a risk worth taking, especially if the trade market is producing the aforementioned results.

Washington, Gafford, and Thompson are solid contributors but cannot even be in the same conversations as Embiid. 

Washington is a strong two-way forward with his best years potentially still ahead of him; Gafford is a reliable big man on both ends of the floor; and Thompson is a four-time NBA champion who spent his best years as one of the league's top shooters.

Each would find meaningful minutes in the Sixers' rotation, but there's no denying this hypothetical deal would knock Philadelphia down a notch in terms of contention.

Not to mention, Washington and Gafford are still under contract for years to come while Thompson is on an expiring deal.

Cutting ties with Philon, who is meant to be the Jared McCain replacement, before he even sets foot on the floor during the regular season would be a mistake. He is showing a lot of potential during NBA Summer League thus far with his scoring and ball-handling.

The idea of ridding the roster of Embiid's contract to begin building around Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe sounds appealing until you take a look at the possible return for the 76ers.

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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.