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ESPN NBA reporter floats idea of Knicks waiting to trade for star rival

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on from the bench during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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. Dallas Mavericks defeated the New York Knicks 121-100. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on from the bench during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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. Dallas Mavericks defeated the New York Knicks 121-100. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Are the New York Knicks going to cash in their assets for a star this offseason? Or wait until next summer to make their big move? It’s still too early to be able to decipher what the front office is planning to do, but if the right player isn’t made available, New York could opt to make a series of small improvements to the roster to prepare for 2023-24.

Joel Embiid is the type of star-level player that the Knicks would go all-in for, but there have only been rumblings about the 2022-23 NBA MVP being made available. The Sixers wouldn’t willingly trade Embiid, but if he requested a trade, that’d be a different matter.

With Philadelphia potentially losing James Harden in free agency this summer, there’s been speculation about Embiid wanting out given the front office’s inability to upgrade the roster. The 29-year-old hasn’t given any indication that he wants to leave the Sixers, but that could change if next season doesn’t go as planned. Or, at least that’s what ESPN NBA reporter Nick Friedell believes.

Should Knicks wait until 2024 offseason to see how Joel Embiid situation plays out?

In an appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Monday morning, Nick Friedell discussed Joel Embiid’s future. He said that the Sixers are “confident” that James Harden will stay with the team rather than reunite with the Rockets, but if things go south, New York will be ready to take advantage of Philadelphia’s shortcomings.

Friedell said that if the Sixers are unable to make it past the second round for the fourth straight season, Embiid could decide to go elsewhere to compete for a championship. Of course, that elsewhere could be the Knicks if they keep hold of their assets.

It’s been reported by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that New York is hoping that the situation in Philadelphia will be disastrous enough for Embiid to ask out. Even if the Knicks weren’t in a position to trade for the superstar center, that’s an outcome that the organization would be hoping for anyways. New York fans would especially love to see its division rival lose a generational player.

As of right now, there isn’t any traction to the Joel Embiid trade talk, but he’s certainly a player that every team in the league will be watching closely over the next year. No pressure, Nick Nurse.

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