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Joel Embiid’s bizarre Sixers trade belief should be amusing to Knicks fans

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass around Jericho Sims #45 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass around Jericho Sims #45 of the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are still working to bring a long-awaited star to Madison Square Garden with their most recent efforts to trade for Donovan Mitchell fizzling out. Being in a division that’s full of big-name stars, the Knicks’ starting lineup is made up of only one All-Star. Although Julius Randle has been on a hot streak as of late, his 2020-21 season has proven to be an anomaly.

Jayson Tatum currently sits atop the MVP ladder after Joel Embiid finished runner-up to Nikola Jokic last season. Embiid’s dealt with a foot injury that kept him sidelined for a few games, so his name isn’t toward the top of the MVP rankings, but he’s still averaging a career-high 33.3 points in 19 games.

Philadelphia drafted Embiid No. 3 overall back in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2017-18 that the Sixers had their first winning season since finishing 41-41 in 2010-11. Embiid’s been a key part of the infamous ‘Trust the Process’ slogan that has seen Philly go from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the top.

But even then, according to Embiid, “Sixers fans, they want to trade me.” Embiid spoke to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, who asked the 28-year-old about the Philadelphia fans that want to see Doc Rivers get fired (sound familiar?) and have already labeled the James Harden trade as a “failure.” Embiid said it with a smile on his face, but he followed it up with, “I do believe that. They want to trade me.”

Knicks fans would love to have a star player like Joel Embiid in New York

Sixers fans are a tough crowd to please and even though Joel Embiid is the face of the franchise, he hasn’t been excluded from the boos that have rained down at Wells Fargo Center.

It isn’t as though Philly sports fans are longing for some form of success. The Phillies won their first NL pennant since 2009 a few months ago and most recently inked Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 12-1 and Jalen Hurts could (and should) end up winning the NFL MVP award.

The Sixers haven’t made it to the Eastern Conference Finals since the 2000-01 season, but have made it to the playoffs in the past five seasons. It’s been nearly 40 years since Philadelphia won a championship (1983), but that isn’t Embiid’s fault.

Joel Embiid’s the type of player that Leon Rose is hoping to bring to the Knicks, although the crowd at MSG isn’t the kindest, either. If what Embiid said is true, Sixers fans need to appreciate what they have before it’s gone.

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