NBA》76人球星George進入備戰狀態！個人Podcast將暫時停更
費城76人隊近期陷入8連敗的嚴重低潮，讓安彼德(Joel Embiid)和喬治(Paul George)這兩大球星飽受批評，為了展現自己想要率領球隊東山再起的決心，喬治不久前宣佈將暫時停止更新自己的Podcast節目「Podcast P with Paul George」，以投入更多心思在賽季上。
喬治說道：「今天和霍華德(Dwight Howard)錄完節目後，我計畫暫時離開Podcast，專住在恢復自己的身心狀態，幫助球隊邁向我們的目標，讓我們有機會競爭總冠軍。」
Paul George announces that he will be load managing his 'Podcast P' episodes for the time being to help the 76ers make a championship push, via @PodcastPShow."I want to let the Podcast P family know that after today's episode with Dwight I plan to take a break from the pod just… pic.twitter.com/XOqsrn99ql
— APHoops (@APH00PS) February 26, 2025
去年夏天以4年2.12億美金價碼加盟76人隊的喬治，本季至今僅繳出場均16.2分5.2籃板4.2助攻的成績，場均得分是他自從2015年以來的新低，各項投籃效率也都低於生涯平均水準，再加上病痛纏身，讓他在57場比賽中已經缺席19場。
喬治的低迷表現，再加上飽受膝傷折磨的安彼德，讓76人隊本季戰績遠低於眾人期望，目前勝率僅有3成51，在東區排名第12，不要說總冠軍了，就連晉級季後賽都岌岌可危，因此看到喬治發表停更爭冠的宣言時，不少網友都感到非常不以為然，除了為時已晚，同時也意味著他過去一段時間根本沒有全心投入賽季。
喬治還說道：「很顯然今年賽季到目前為止的表現，完全不是我們預期的，我知道自己和76人隊簽約時的目標，就是給這裡的超棒粉絲們一座總冠軍，我仍然對此抱持樂觀，我現在還是這麼想。」
76人隊目前距離晉級附加賽的第10名隊伍，其實只有2.5場勝差，絕對不是難以追趕的距離，但他們真正的隱憂還是安彼德的膝蓋狀況，由於一直無法完全復原，球團和安彼德都已經不排除進行手術的可能性，如此一來賽季勢必會提前報銷，76人隊本季競爭力就將大打折扣。
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New York Times
42 minutes ago
- New York Times
Sam Presti built a great Thunder team once. Then he did it again — his way
The bye-bye game was only six years ago. That famous moment in Portland Trail Blazers lore, with Damian Lillard hitting a series-ending bomb over Paul George, also doubled as the nadir for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Eliminated from the 2019 NBA playoffs in five games for a third straight first-round exit, with an aging team and bloated salary cap that also paid a whopping $61.6 million in luxury tax while playing in the nation's 47th-largest TV market, the Thunder appeared to be at an impasse. Advertisement It seemed like Lillard was waving bye-bye to an entire era in Oklahoma City, one that disappointingly ended without a title, and that it would be a long, painful journey to contend again. In a sense, he was: Russell Westbrook and George never played another game for the Thunder. But as it turns out, Lillard was also waving hello to a dramatic rebirth, one that liberated Thunder team president Sam Presti — now in his 19th season at the helm — to paint his Mona Lisa. If the Thunder, as many expect, prevail in the NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, this season will serve as both the first-line item on Presti's Hall of Fame resume and the thing that ensures his eventual induction. What happened since April 2019 has been one of the fastest and most complete rebuilds in NBA history. Starting from a spot where they seemed completely screwed, the Thunder took only half a decade to post the Western Conference's best record with the league's youngest team. One year later, they are massive favorites to claim the franchise's first title in Oklahoma and set up to be favorites again and again and again for years into the future. That rebirth is as much philosophical as it is about talent. If you go in the way-back machine, the Thunder's origin story is the greatest three-year draft run in NBA history. Presti's career with the franchise began in Seattle three weeks before the 2007 draft, when he was then a 29-year-old wunderkind blowing people away as he worked his way up the San Antonio Spurs organization. (Even then, it was obvious to anyone who met him that he was destined to run an NBA franchise.) He drafted Kevin Durant and Jeff Green in 2007, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka in 2008 and James Harden in 2009. Green was eventually traded for Kendrick Perkins, but allowing for that swap means that, in three years, Presti drafted the top five players on an NBA Finals team and three future MVPs. Advertisement Those picks, along with Reggie Jackson at No. 24 in 2011 and Steven Adams at No. 12 and Andre Roberson at No. 26 in 2013, were amazing, but in time, they became just as much a philosophical prison. In hindsight, you wonder if those Thunder teams became good too fast. They were caught in win-now mode with great individual players who didn't necessarily fit great together. They ran through two coaches who were fine but also didn't move the needle for them, and they took too long to find the right center. (Flunking Tyson Chandler's physical in 2009 remains an all-time sliding doors moment in NBA history.) And as much as they talked about not skipping steps, the specter of losing Durant or Westbrook meant they started taking shortcuts, too — taking 14 cents on the dollar for Harden rather than trading Westbrook at the peak of his value, most notably, and later with moonshots on Enes Kanter Freedom, Carmelo Anthony and Dion Waiters. Here's the thing: If you talk to people who know and have worked with Presti, (or talk to Presti himself, for that matter), it's clear what gets his blood pumping. It's not the Durants and Westbrooks, but the high-character, cerebral, team-first grinders. This is a guy who cut his teeth in the prime of Spurs culture, one who gave Kenrich Williams a four-year, $27 million extension after a season in which he averaged 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds for a 24-win team. That's important, because to me it's why this version of the Thunder feels so much more organic than the Durant-Westbrook one. Presti's platonic basketball ideal was nothing like his own team but a lot like his former one, the 2014 'beautiful game' Spurs squad that smoked his Thunder in the conference finals. (We'll get back to that San Antonio squad in a second.) Version 1.0 of Presti's Thunder was an overwhelming talent haul with a basketball team taped together around it; the whole was never greater than the sum of the parts, and at times was substantially less. Westbrook, in particular, was an off-the-charts athlete and a ruthless competitor; he was also stubborn to a fault and difficult for any other on-ball players to thrive alongside. The enduring image of the tail end of that era is a young Domantas Sabonis marooned at the 3-point line watching the Russ Show. This time, it feels completely different: From top to bottom, it's Presti-ball come to life. The core of the team is a dozen different versions of Kenny Hustle, just with some having more talent than others. In one sense, we have an easily available answer for how the Thunder rebuilt so quickly: The Paul George trade. Forget all the other goodies the Thunder still have coming from the LA Clippers; the first two assets in the deal were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the pick that became Jalen Williams. That and one tank year that produced Chet Holmgren were enough to give the Thunder a championship core. Advertisement That answer is far too reductive, however, for the process that led the Thunder here. The three things that stand out about Presti's Thunder 2.0 rebuild were 1) stacking the draft-pick deck so heavily in the Thunder's favor that they didn't need to be perfect, 2) getting the right coach to share the vision and implement everything and 3) doubling down on the types of people they brought in as much as the talent. It so happens that they hit on the Jalen Williams pick, which was one of the five that had come from the Clippers in the George trade. But Presti also never stopped hustling, making a series of other trades to ensure the Thunder had a massive stockpile of first-round picks, nearly all with at least some potential to hit at the top of the lottery. Notably, even as it became clear that Gilgeous-Alexander would be a much greater star than initially envisioned, Presti stayed patient and kept making deals to enhance his odds of hitting big on talent. The ultimate tell was his willingness to give up an honest-to-goodness first-round pick in Dallas' P.J. Washington trade in exchange for an unprotected swap in 2028. There's a risk Presti might end up trading a late first for bupkus, and in the short term, he might inadvertently have helped the Mavericks upset his top-seeded team in the 2024 postseason. But in his eyes, he hadn't landed the plane yet, so the upside outcomes were worth it. To see this in practice, consider that the Thunder acquired the pick just before Jalen Williams in the 2022 draft and fired three lower-value future firsts into the sun to take Ousmane Dieng … and it doesn't matter. The whole point of accumulating six lottery picks between 2021 and 2024, as the Thunder did, is that perfection is no longer required. Build your chip stack high enough, and you can lose a few hands. They're not done, either. Oklahoma City has a redshirted lottery pick (Nikola Topić) ready to roll come summer. The Thunder will have two first-round picks this month, at No. 15 and No. 24; most likely have three first-round picks in 2026; and still have two in 2027 and 2029. They also have the aforementioned pick swap with Dallas in 2028 and one with the Clippers in 2027. If that wasn't enough, their second-round-pick inventory remains hilarious; they have 14 available from 2028 to 2031. That's 10 first-round picks in five years, and nine of them are likely to be other teams' picks, not their own mid-dynasty choice at No. 29 or No. 30. They could draft seven Aleksej Pokuševskis and it won't matter one iota if they hit on the other three. (More realistically, they likely will deal some of these for either future trades or move-ups in the draft to keep the loaded-dice party going even further into the future.) Advertisement The second element of all of this was hitting on the right coach, and Presti was deeply fortunate that the best candidate was already in his building in assistant coach Mark Daigneault. (Partly, we should note, because the Thunder gave him an unprecedented five-year run of reps coaching their G League team. The G has quietly been an awesome incubator of coaching talent.) Of course, that fortune wouldn't have mattered if Presti didn't have the stones to promote him after one total season on an NBA bench, and the two have formed a symbiotic partnership ever since. I asked Daigneault about this last weekend and about the challenges of the coach-GM relationship as a team goes from the bottom to the top. His lengthy answer underscored how fully integrated every level of this rebuild feels, and how important it was that, this time, Presti was as comfortable with the people as he was with the talent. 'When I started as the head coach, I already had six years in the organization,' Daigneault said. 'We had seen each other over the course of a long period of time in a lot of different situations, so there wasn't a relational feeling out process there. It was a continuation of an existing relationship that we had. … The communication between those two positions is essential, and I think that comfort helped with that. 'And then … a lot of those challenges come from philosophical differences. And I was raised here in professional basketball. Like, I didn't work anywhere else in pro basketball prior to coming here. I didn't know much about professional basketball before I came here. And so my entire philosophy in professional basketball was underneath the umbrella of the Thunder organization. 'A lot of it is stuff I've learned from Sam and learned from being in this organization in terms of understanding that these organizations are robust, and it's not just you coaching your team. You're part of a large ecosystem of developing players and developing a team, and you're executing a large strategy for an organization. Those are things that have to exist in order to be a sustainably successful team in the NBA.' Daigneault's promotion, however, is also one example of the larger trend line and the third item I mentioned above. Again, the Thunder were deeply fortunate that Gilgeous-Alexander was available in the George trade, but it's no accident that OKC targeted him in the deal. Remember those 2014 Spurs? SGA is the closest thing to Tim Duncan since Tim Duncan, a zero-maintenance superstar who, even coming out of Kentucky in the 2018 draft, had as many superlative exclamation points in his background reports as any draft prospect I can remember. (I was working for the Memphis Grizzlies at the time, and we did extensive research since we had the fourth pick that year.) Advertisement Of course, it goes way beyond Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren. That 2019 reset may have made it easier to win in other aspects of team-building. Remove all the first-rounders and Oklahoma City's player-acquisition resume in the last half decade is still a huge success; luck is always a factor in this, but a lot of it gets back to focusing less on hazy-outline projects and more on targeting Presti's type of guys. The other two players on this roster who were acquired by trade were the aforementioned Kenrich Williams and Alex Caruso — classic grinders in the Presti mold (and, in Caruso's case, a do-over after the Thunder let him slip out the door in the Westbrook era). OKC hit on a late draft pick (Aaron Wiggins at No. 54 in 2021), a waiver claim (Isaiah Joe in 2022), an undrafted development project (Lu Dort in 2019) and a cap-ballast trade throw-in (Kenrich Williams in 2020). None of these guys had 40-inch verticals or set scouts salivating as they went through the layup line. The Thunder used cap space to absorb contracts and get more picks year after year, including using one to move up to select Cason Wallace in 2023, until they finally found the perfect free-agent piece (Isaiah Hartenstein) to round out their team. They somehow traded Josh Giddey for Caruso without surrendering a draft pick. Even their biggest recent misstep came with a giant opportunistic side benefit. The 2024 trade for Gordon Hayward didn't work on the court, but it doubled as one of the great stealth salary-dumps in recent annals, shedding this era's one mistake contract (Vasilije Micić), Dāvis Bertāns and little-used Tre Mann and — at a cost of only two future seconds — giving the Thunder the necessary cap space to sign Hartenstein and extend the deals of Joe and Wiggins. You might wonder, after two decades in the same place, if finally winning a championship might spur Presti to ride off into the sunset, Bob Myers-style. Nobody I talked to can envision this happening. Behind the designer glasses is a ruthless competitor whose reaction to beating you four times in a row is to try to beat you even worse the fifth time. He'll get those chances and then some over the coming years. No team in the last dozen years has been more set up for a Spursian two-decade run of dominance than this one, not even the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics. Presti doing it from the ashes of the bye-bye game only makes it all the more impressive. (Top photo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Sam Presti: Zach Beeker / NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Pacers at Thunder Game 1 picks, odds, how to watch: Oklahoma City favored in NBA Finals opener
Two small-market franchises take the sport's headlining stage, each seeking an NBA championship to call their own. The Indiana Pacers have never lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy, though they claimed three ABA titles, back when basketballs were tricolored. The Oklahoma City Thunder are also ringless. They technically won in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics, but that relocation was deeply acrimonious. Advertisement This game will also be streamed on ESPN+. Series odds: Thunder -700, Pacers +500 Folks are cracking jokes about how David Stern would react to a Finals with Indiana and Oklahoma City. Forget that, though. This is a cool draw for true basketball appreciators. Both teams play with brisk pace and deploy ultra-flexible, hyper-athletic lineups. Indy's offense is swaggering and breathless; OKC's defense borders on all-time dominant. Mark Daigneault and Rick Carlisle are elite strategists with Coach of the Year credentials. Let's get it on. What a cool mirror match. The two conference champs have efficient superstar point guards, a cadre of springy wings and a long-range rim protector at center. Together, they reached the mountaintop because of their Paul George trade. And yes, this is the fastest-paced pairing in Finals history. Indiana will likely shoot at will from the opening minute, and get its offense running with end-to-end intensity. The Pacers' starting lineup seems to have unlocked 'unlimited stamina' video game status, and their best chance of breaking this relentless and organized Thunder D should be through light-speed perimeter play. Tyrese Haliburton shows no fear in clutch minutes. Andrew Nembhard is an exemplary, archetypal defender. Conference finals MVP Pascal Siakam is title-tested from his time in Toronto, and he's been playing the most efficient ball of his nine-year career. OKC is favored for a reason, though. This team had the best net rating in NBA history. It employs the league MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, pre-prime mega-talents in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and a comprehensive crew of lengthy defenders that mutate passing lanes. Oklahoma City has been nearly unbeatable in front of its thundering home crowd, though the Pacers have ripped hearts out in Milwaukee, Cleveland and New York this postseason. Advertisement Throw numbers out the window and reset expectations accordingly. The NBA Finals are here, a clean slate for new legacies. Starting five of players to wear both jerseys 1991 — Michael Jordan broke the continuum with this ambidextrous bucket. Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton: Zach Beeker / NBAE via Getty Images)
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Every NBA Contender's Potential Trade Package For Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers' collapse in 2025 has once again thrown Joel Embiid's future into chaos. After missing the playoffs completely with a putrid 24-58 record, the 76ers are aware that rival teams are circling, ready to pounce if Embiid finally requests a change of scenery. At 31, with an MVP trophy and undeniable two-way dominance, Embiid remains the ultimate trade chip who could turn any contender into an instant title favorite. Advertisement From the Lakers and Heat to dark horses like the Magic and Rockets, every team with championship ambitions is weighing whether to make the call. Even if Embiid only appeared in 19 games this season (averaging 23.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG), there's no shortage of suitors willing to push their chips in for the chance to build around a superstar. Let's break down what each contender could realistically offer and how close they could get to prying away the Sixers' franchise centerpiece. Cleveland Cavaliers Proposed Trade Details Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jarrett Allen, De'Andre Hunter, 2031 First-Round Pick (CLE), 2031 Second-Round Pick (CLE) Jarrett Allen is a rock-solid center, but swapping him for Joel Embiid would be a dramatic upgrade that could push Cleveland over the top. The Cavaliers are seeing Darius Garland (20.6 PPG, 6.7 APG) and Evan Mobley (18.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG) come into their own, but if they fall short in the East again (currently down 0-2 in the second round), adding Embiid's dominant post presence would change their entire ceiling. Advertisement Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen becomes the new starting center, and De'Andre Hunter gives Philly a starting wing, and two picks help them retool. But this feels light for an MVP-caliber talent, and Philly fans might have to accept a new era should management become sick of their core. Boston Celtics Proposed Trade Details Boston Celtics Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White This is bold: Boston trading Kristaps Porzingis (19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG) and Derrick White (16.4 PPG, 4.8 APG) to land Embiid would give them a monster defensive core of Embiid, Tatum, Brown, and Holiday. If the Celtics suffer another disappointing playoff exit (Tatum and Brown underwhelming again in a 0-2 start to the second round), Brad Stevens might see Embiid as the piece that puts them over the top. Advertisement Philly, though, gets a high-level two-way guard in White and an All-Star big in Porzingis, though the latter has injury flags. It's risky but intriguing if Boston is serious about revamping the roster if they don't make the Finals again. The Sixers could do worse than bringing back two sure-fire starters, though. New York Knicks Proposed Trade Details New York Knicks Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, 2025 First-Round Pick (WAS), 2026 Second-Round Pick (DET/MIL/ORL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (IND/PHX) Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are a defense-first package, plus picks, but New York landing Embiid would make them instant East favorites. Pairing Embiid with Jalen Brunson, who's been sensational this postseason, creates arguably the best 1-2 punch in the conference. Advertisement By the way, that's not even mentioning Karl-Anthony Towns or OG Anunoby, who would complete a legitimate superteam. No doubt, the Knicks would easily be the team to beat moving forward with this deal done. For Philly, Bridges and Hart give them elite wing defense around Maxey and George, and Robinson covers center duties, but again, it feels like a soft return unless those picks turn gold. The Knicks, though, should absolutely chase this if they don't win it all this season. Milwaukee Bucks Proposed Trade Details Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis (Sign-and-Trade), Pat Connaughton (Sign-and-Trade), 2031 Second-Round Pick (MIL) The Bucks' package feels like a desperate reshuffling more than a fair deal: Kuzma, Portis, and Connaughton won't wow Sixers fans. Milwaukee clearly needs a change after flopping early in the postseason, and pairing Embiid with Giannis would be terrifying, but it's hard to see this getting done without a third team. Advertisement Philly would view this as a step back unless they're valuing cap space and role players over star power. Regardless, the Bucks would form arguably the best frontcourt of all time, and that might make Giannis rethink his future about staying in Milwaukee. Miami Heat Proposed Trade Details Miami Heat Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson (Sign-and-Trade), Nikola Jovic, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA) Wiggins, Robinson, Jovic, and picks, a classic Miami Heat mix of vets, young talent, and picks. Miami has struggled to find that third star next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo following the Jimmy Butler trade, and Embiid would be the biggest fish they've landed since LeBron. Advertisement Wiggins gives Philly a big wing scorer, Robinson stretches the floor, and Jovic is a developmental piece, plus two firsts sweeten the pot. This one feels sneaky realistic and keeps Miami firmly in the contender mix after the Butler era ended. Orlando Magic Proposed Trade Details Orlando Magic Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2030 First-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick, and 2026 Second-Round Pick The Magic have assembled one of the best young cores in the league, and making a move for Joel Embiid would instantly vault them into true contention in the East. Pairing Embiid with Paolo Banchero (25.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and Franz Wagner (24.2 PPG) would be devastating for opponents. Advertisement It's a steep price, but for a franchise eager to move past the first round for the first time in over a decade, this is the kind of gamble that could pay off massively. For Philadelphia, this is about diversifying. Suggs, who's emerged as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders while averaging 16.2 points this season, offers immediate help. Isaac, if healthy, is an All-Defense candidate, and Black remains a developmental piece alongside draft assets. Detroit Pistons Proposed Trade Details Detroit Pistons Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jalen Duren, Ron Holland, Isaiah Stewart, 2027 First-Round Pick (DET), 2028 First-Round Pick (DET) The Detroit Pistons showed tremendous improvement this season behind Cade Cunningham (26.1 PPG, 9.1 APG), but landing Embiid would completely change their perception. Cunningham has flashed superstar potential, and adding Embiid could give Detroit a formidable inside-out duo. Advertisement Trading Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, and No. 5 pick Ron Holland is painful, but worth it if Embiid's presence finally makes them relevant again. Financially, Detroit can absorb Embiid's salary and still build a supporting cast. For the Sixers, this package has appeal if they want to go young and big. Duren is an emerging center who averaged a double-double this season (11.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG), and Holland brings elite athleticism and defensive upside. Stewart is a solid rotational big. While Detroit's picks may not be high if Embiid works out, the Sixers get a trio of physically gifted players they can develop while staying competitive in the East. Indiana Pacers Proposed Trade Details Indiana Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Myles Turner (Sign-and-Trade), Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell, 2031 First-Round Pick (IND) The Pacers cash in their chips in this deal, hoping Embiid's MVP-level talent takes them from an Eastern Conference riser to an outright title threat. Pairing Embiid with Tyrese Haliburton, who's been phenomenal this postseason (18.4 PPG, 10.7 APG), and Pascal Siakam, would instantly give Indiana an elite inside-out trio. Advertisement However, giving up Myles Turner (still an elite rim protector who posted 15.6 PPG and 2.0 BPG), rising playmaker Andrew Nembhard (10.0 PPG, 5.0 APG), and glue-guy TJ McConnell strips them of some identity and depth. The 2031 pick sweetens it, but the Pacers would be banking fully on Embiid staying healthy, a massive gamble. From Philly's side, this package isn't flashy but offers real structure. Turner replaces some shot-blocking and floor-spacing at center, Nembhard is a rising playmaker who showed poise in big playoff moments, and McConnell's toughness fits Philly's blue-collar ethos. It's not a 'superstar-for-superstar' return, but it gives the Sixers multiple rotation pieces and keeps them competitive while gathering future assets. Oklahoma City Thunder Proposed Trade Details Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, 2025 First-Round Pick (OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 First-Round Pick (DEN) If any team can afford to make a godfather offer, it's the Thunder. They swap out role players Luguentz Dort (elite defender), Isaiah Hartenstein (underrated rebounder), and Isaiah Joe (sniper shooter), plus three strong picks. Advertisement Embiid, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, would form a terrifying core, blending size, shot creation, and defense. OKC has been deliberately building its contender, but this deal screams dynasty. The Thunder already won 68 wins this season, but adding Embiid would be complete overkill with two MVP-caliber players on one team. For Philly, it's a mixed bag. They get a defensive ace in Dort, a starting-caliber big in Hartenstein, and an elite shooter in Joe. But no real star comes back, meaning it's more of a 'reset and stay competitive' move than a retool around a new centerpiece. The picks from OKC, LAC, and Denver help, but it's a step back in terms of top-end talent, unless they flip these assets again. Houston Rockets Proposed Trade Details Houston Rockets Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX) Houston's pitch is clear: trade potential for production. Jalen Green (21.5 PPG in the playoffs but still inconsistent) and Dillon Brooks (defensive specialist, playoff irritant) plus a Phoenix pick is a strong offer. Advertisement Adding Embiid to a Rockets team that's already showing signs of contention would instantly make them a legit top-3 threat in the West. Embiid, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet? That's a lot of veteran punch added to their young legs, which features Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. For Philly, Green's upside is tempting, though his shot selection and defensive lapses remain concerns. Brooks gives them an identity boost, but isn't a cornerstone. The pick is solid but doesn't tip the scales. In short, this package leans on Green blossoming into a star. If he does, this could be a home run. If not, Philly may feel they sold low on Embiid. Los Angeles Lakers Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, 2031 First-Round Pick The Lakers are betting big here, offering their key role players, Austin Reaves (who struggled in the playoffs), Rui Hachimura, and defensive specialist Jarred Vanderbilt, along with rookie Dalton Knecht and a future first. The prize? Embiid forming a superteam with LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Advertisement This move would give LA arguably the best Big Three in the NBA, but depth would be a massive question mark, especially given Embiid's injury track record. However, the first-round exit sparked conversation that the Lakers need a dominant big man, and Embiid is the most dominant you can get, not named Nikola Jokic. For the Sixers, this package offers variety. Reaves (15.9 PPG this season) can slide in as a starting guard, Hachimura gives a scoring punch off the bench, Vanderbilt brings defensive versatility, and Knecht offers shooting upside. The 2031 pick is far out, but valuable. Still, the package feels more quantity than quality, unless Reaves or Knecht makes a leap, it's not a star return for an MVP. Philly would likely see this as the start of a longer retool, not a direct title pivot. Denver Nuggets Proposed Trade Details Denver Nuggets Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, 2026 First-Round Pick Swap, 2031 First-Round Pick (DEN) The Nuggets swinging for Joel Embiid would be one of the boldest moves of all time. Pairing Embiid with Nikola Jokic, the reigning three-time MVP (29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG this season), would instantly create the most unstoppable offensive frontcourt in NBA history. Advertisement Denver parts with Michael Porter Jr., a sharpshooting forward who's battled with consistency, plus young pieces Christian Braun and Zeke Nnaji. They also send over a pick swap in 2026 and a valuable 2031 first. Losing Porter Jr.'s spacing will sting, but Denver banking on Jokic-Embiid dominance in half-court playoff battles is the type of swing that can extend their title window deeper into the 2020s. For Philadelphia, this is a clear step into retool mode. Porter Jr. becomes a scoring focal point alongside Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, giving them two dynamic offensive weapons. Braun adds championship experience and versatile defense, while Nnaji can fill backup big man minutes. The picks are long-term upside plays. It's not the shiniest package, but it's balanced between current talent and future draft control. For a Sixers team stuck in second-round limbo, it offers flexibility while still competing in the short term. Los Angeles Clippers Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2031 Second-Round Pick (LAC) The Clippers' package for Embiid is lighter on star power but heavy on depth. Norman Powell brings instant scoring (21.8 PPG), while Ivica Zubac (16.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG) gives Philly a serviceable starting center with strong rebounding and improved offensive presence. Advertisement Bogdan Bogdanovic adds another shooter and secondary playmaker, giving Philly a new-look rotation that could still push for the playoffs. The lone pick isn't flashy, but it's extra ammo in a potential rebuild or retool. For L.A., this is about salvaging their superstar experiment. Kawhi Leonard isn't getting younger, and the James Harden saga looks shakier by the day. Adding Embiid would give them a true inside force to balance their perimeter-heavy attack. Health remains the biggest question. Embiid and Kawhi have both missed significant time, but if they roll the dice and stay upright, they'd be a legitimate Western Conference terror. This could be the last chance for Steve Ballmer to win with the current core. Minnesota Timberwolves Proposed Trade Details Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Naz Reid (Sign-and-Trade), Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, 2026 Second-Round Pick (IND/MIA/SAS), 2029 Second-Round Pick (MIN) The Timberwolves giving up Naz Reid (sign-and-trade), Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo in this deal is steep but calculated. Embiid would slide into the center spot, replacing the need to balance Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert all the time. Advertisement This trade could signal the Wolves finally deciding to move on from one of their bigs, creating a more streamlined roster with Anthony Edwards and Embiid as the cornerstones. Embiid's post scoring and rim protection would give Minnesota a real chance to come out of the West over the next few seasons. Philly, in turn, would get two-way wing Jaden McDaniels, whose defensive chops fit perfectly next to Maxey. Naz Reid is an offensive big man with legit shooting range (14.2 PPG on 37.9% 3-PT FG), while DiVincenzo brings defense and winning habits. The picks are second-rounders, but this package gives the Sixers enough on-court talent to stay relevant while eyeing bigger moves with their future cap space. Golden State Warriors Proposed Trade Details Golden State Warriors Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade), Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW) The Golden State Warriors' offer is built around Jonathan Kuminga, who could be on the brink of a breakout year (15.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG), and Moses Moody, a talented wing who's flashed two-way potential. Buddy Hield gives the Sixers an elite shooter, and Brandin Podziemski is a crafty guard who could blossom in Philly's system. Advertisement The 2027 first-round pick is significant because it gives Philly long-term leverage. For the Warriors, it's about squeezing out another title run. Pairing Embiid with Stephen Curry could create the deadliest pick-and-roll duo in the league. It also reunites the big man with former teammate, Jimmy Butler. The risk, of course, is health, but Golden State's dynasty clock is ticking, and this would be their all-in move. Philly gets younger, faster, and more versatile with Kuminga and Moody while maintaining floor spacing with Hield and Podziemski. The pick sweetens the pot just enough to make this one of the more intriguing win-win deals. Dallas Mavericks Proposed Trade Details Dallas Mavericks Receive: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, 2031 First-Round Pick (DAL) Dallas' package sends out Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin, a hefty group but one that nets them Joel Embiid to pair with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. If Nico Harrison wants to make things right with Mavericks fans after the Luka trade, getting Embiid for spare parts could do it. Advertisement Losing depth would hurt obviously, but Dallas could fill out the roster with veterans chasing rings and minimum contracts. Who would be able to score on the Mavs' two bigs next season? For the Sixers, Klay Thompson is no longer a top option, but his shooting and experience would help steady the team in transition. PJ Washington and Gafford are both productive, versatile frontcourt players, and Caleb Martin adds playoff grit. It's not a rebuild package, but more of a competitive reshuffle that allows Philly to stay in the mix while evaluating long-term moves. Related: 8 Blockbuster Trades That Could Happen In 2025 Offseason
