The LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers should float a trade idea for former MVP Joel Embiid, it is being suggested.
It is a few days ago since the LA Lakers‘ season came crashing to a halt with a 4-1 series defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Immediately talk turned to improving the roster, with general manager Rob Pelinka vowing to add size and defensive depth to the team.
A busy few weeks of speculation awaits. Tim MacMahon suggested another Lakers-Mavericks trade to send Daniel Gafford to LA.
Other names suggested have included Myles Turner and Naz Reid, two players still competing in the NBA Playoffs.
And now an outlandish suggestion has been put forward… Joel Embiid.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesJoel Embiid to LA Lakers suggested
Speaking on his podcast, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons has thrown out the idea of a possible Joel Embiid move to LA.
Embiid is on a gargantuan contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, signed last summer, before an injury-hit season where he played only 19 games.
Simmons argues that a move would likely be accepted by the Philadelphia 76ers, a golden chance to move on from the center.
“Embiid… talk about a get out of jail free card,” Simmons suggested.
“Give you all of our expiring and a first and we’ll get you out of the Joel Embiid business. Here’s your Embiid get out of jail free card right now. You don’t have to deal with them anymore.”
“That’s my favorite Lakers move, all their expirings and two first round picks and they get Embiid. Reaves isn’t in it.”
Co-host Ryen Russillo responded: “I heard Embiid was available at the trade deadline. It’d be irresponsible to not even ask.”
Injury issues would be recipe for disaster in LA too
The temptation of moving for Joel Embiid is clear. This is a player who scored 50 points in a playoff game for the Sixers in 2024.
But this past season was horrendous, with Embiid shut down for the season with months remaining, one of several reasons the Sixers fell apart this past year.
Philadelphia are stuck with Embiid and his injury issues for now, unless a team take a wild swing on him.
The Lakers might see an upside – but the downside is clearly risky, and remember, this is a team who nixed a trade for Mark Williams over health concerns.
Embiid has a higher ceiling than Williams, and while it would be box office to see him in LA alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, it does not feel like a move that would end well.
There will be many players the team can pursue without an injury history like Embiid’s.