The New York Knicks reportedly have their sights set on the 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, as should every team except the Nuggets. Embiid is coming off the best season of his seven-year career that resulted in another second-round exit for the Sixers, who haven’t made it to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.
Philadelphia responded by firing Doc Rivers and replacing him with former division rival head coach Nick Nurse. Similar to the Knicks, the Sixers don’t have a pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which means that Philadelphia’s next shake-up could happen in free agency. James Harden has a $35.6 million player option for 2023-24 that he could opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent.
Whispers about Harden returning to Houston have turned into beliefs that the 33-year-old guard will once again be a Rocket. Harden took a “pay cut” in 2022-23 so that the Sixers could have more flexibility in free agency and in turn, win a championship. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on “Pardon the Interruption” that Philadelphia doesn’t want to pay Harden the max in free agency. That’s completely understandable, but it could be another reason why the guard will leave the Sixers.
What do Harden’s future and Philadelphia’s lack of flexibility to build a winning roster around Embiid mean? Well, for starters, it could mean that the reigning MVP might be on the move. That possibility is a stretch at the moment, however, that hasn’t stopped the Knicks from sitting back and wishing.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, “… there’s been a hope in New York that stuff in Philly will go haywire to the point Embiid will ask out.”
Knicks are ready to pounce if Joel Embiid requests trade from Sixers
Even if the Knicks weren’t in a position to seriously pursue Joel Embiid if he were to request a trade, the organization would still be hoping that things would go south with their division rival. Embiid leaving Philadelphia would do a favor to New York regardless of the situation. It’s a bonus that he could wind up with the Knicks.
Daryl Morey and the Sixers would likely rather do anything but send Embiid to New York. A couple of years ago, Philadelphia wouldn’t have had to worry about the star center wanting to go to a team like the Knicks, but the culture has shifted. New York is now a destination for big-name players.
An Embiid trade this summer is far from being a guarantee, which is why MacMahon added that the percentage of it happening is “slim.” Embiid has said that he wants to end his career in Philadelphia. He’s been loyal to the process over the years. It would be fitting for Embiid to lead the Sixers to their first title since 1983. However, at the same time, a lot can change in the NBA.
If the NBA world is turned upside down by a Joel Embiid trade request, know that Leon Rose and the Knicks will already be prepared to aggressively go after him.
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