According to multiple “sources,” the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to trade 2023 NBA MVP and 7-Time NBA all-star center Joel Embiid to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a $25 Wawa gift card, a Philly pretzel, and an Eastern University meal swipe. In what analysts are calling a “puzzling” and “lose-now” decision, the Sixers are moving on from their franchise cornerstone center in a blockbuster move.
The 31-year old center was drafted #3 overall by the Sixers in 2014 and has been the heart and soul of the team ever since. Embiid has had a storied career as a 76er, including being named the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player, a 7-time NBA All-Star, 2023 All-NBA First Team, Back-to-back NBA Scoring champion (2022, 2023), 4-time All NBA Second Team (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) and 3-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019, 2021).
Sixers’ General Manager Daryl Morey said he thought the front office was “selling high” on Embiid, similar to when they traded rising star guard Jared McCain to the same Thunder in exchange for a rusty nail and sock lint earlier in the season. Embiid, now 31, was recently rewarded with a three-year, 193 million dollar contract extension before the 2024 season that would have kept him under contract until 2028. The 76ers will still pay Embiid’s full contract, and Embiid will be active for the reigning NBA champion Thunder as soon as the trade is processed.
For the Thunder, this move gives them another franchise cornerstone they can utilize on their quest to repeat as NBA champions. While they are the current favorites in the west, Embiid has never been a favorite to lead a team anywhere, especially not past the second round. It should be a welcome change of scenery for an accomplished player like Embiid to be able to most likely play into May and June in a chase for a championship ring to add to his accolades, something he was never able to do in Philadelphia. Embiid adds another dynamic free-throw threat to the likes of Thunder Superstar PG and Reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Philadelphia sports fans are understandably stunned at the move, but not all hope appears to be lost. Morey also said that fans need to “continue to trust the process”, a team motto that has been recurrent since 2019 and has resulted in exactly 0 finals appearances and 0 conference finals appearances. Eastern University’s resident sixers superfan, Jason Karch, had this to say about the trade: “It’s a solid trade to make after the McCain trade. I truly think we are trading him (Embiid) at his peak value.”
Embiid has struggled with injuries over the years, which was a large concern leading to the trade. Reports indicate that suddenly, Embiid will be available for all games moving forward with his new team, including back-to-back games, which Embiid has notably disliked in his career thus far. As long as Embiid passes his physical with the Thunder, and the Thunder don’t pull out of the trade after said physical, Embiid will officially be active for the Thunder going forward. However, Thunder team doctors are reportedly “preparing space” on the injury report as a precaution.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was quoted as saying that Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager, Sam Presti, “cannot keep getting away with this,” and that he will start “taking away Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s excessive foul calls if Presti continues to fleece the Sixers.” Thunder executives have yet to comment.
According to reports, the Sixers are going to make corresponding moves to this trade, including trying to lure a recently turned pro-fisherman by the name of “Ben Simmons” out of inactivity to join the team to replace Embiid. Additionally, the Sixers have “shown interest” in bringing back franchise “legends” such as Markelle Fultz and Furkan Korkmaz to lean into the “lose-now” mentality set by this front office.
