As the final seconds ticked down on the Philadelphia 76ers’ season, a sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks. Fans began to think about changing the composition of a team that seems to have hit its apex.

Joel Embiid’s polarizing tenure includes plenty of highs, only to be overshadowed by insurmountable lows, many of which can be filed in the “you can’t make this up” category.

Embiid was limited to just 38 games due to various injuries this season, which included his balky left knee, a strained oblique that sidelined him for a month, and an appendectomy late in the regular season. He also dealt with ankle and hip injuries, which forced him to miss some playoff games.

After years of wild injuries, missed games, and frustrating losses, many Sixers fans are ready to move on from Embiid. The question is, what can the Sixers realistically get for him?

“He is a warrior,” 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris said on Thursday. We look forward to welcoming him back on this team.”

The High Cost of the Embiid Extension

Embiid is now entering the first year of a three-year, $192.9 million maximum contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers that guarantees him a total of $299.5 million through the 2028-29 season, making a trade of Embiid very difficult.

Analyzing the Bill Simmons Trade Proposals

On a recent edition of the Bill Simmons Podcast, he laid out four potential deals that would involve Embiid.

1. Joel Embiid to New Orleans straight up for Zion Williamson 

Williamson did play  62 games this season for the Pelicans, which is the second most he has played since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019.

“I dont see them (New Orleans) doing that,” Simmons said.

“That’s a no for me,” added his co-host Kirk Goldsberry, who used to work in the San Antoni Spurs front office.

As for me?  This deal doesn’t excite me too much. It saves you one year on his deal, but he hasn’t made the impact that many thought he would have made when he left Duke, and his lack of availability is just as frustrating as Embiid’s.

2. Joel Embiid to the Sacramento Kings for Zach LaVine

LaVine has an expiring contract, so this would get the Sixers out of a bad contract two years early, but this wasn’t a move that Simmons or Goldsberry seemed to think was a good idea for the Kings.

“Their fans should revolt if they did that,” Simmons stated.

LaVine played in just 39 games last season, but has just one year left on his deal, and averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.5 three-pointers.

He would be an interesting fit with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but I might take a shot on this deal just to get his expiring contract.

3. Joel Embiid to Golden State for Jimmy Butler

Like LaVine, Jimmy Butler has an expiring contract and is coming off season-ending ACL surgery from a knee injury suffered in mid-January.

“I dont think Golden State should do that,” Simmons said.

If you are looking to just unload Embiid’s deal, this would be another one that would work, but unlike LaVine, there is no guarantee that Butler even plays next season.

4. Joel Embiid to the Brooklyn Nets for Nic Claxton, Terrance Mann, and Noah Clowney

Simmons suggests doing this as a straight salary dump, giving Brooklyn an interesting guy at the box office in Embiid, while also maintaining some money to be a player in free agency to pair with Embiid on the court.

“I’m (the Nets) more interesting, and I just hope he stays healthy,” Simmons says.

I actually don’t hate this; it gets the Sixers out of the Embiid deal, while giving them three rotational players.  Depth was a major issue for the Sixers; giving them three rotational players around Maxey and Edgecombe wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Do any of these deals excite you?  Let us know in the comments!

The Best Philly Athletes Age 25 or Younger

Philadelphia has some great young athletes right now, from All-Star Tyrese Maxey to two first-round draft picks on the Eagles Defensive Line (Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter). In honor of the Philly Sports Youth Movement, here is my ranking of the Top Ten Philadelphia Professional Athletes who are 25 years old or younger:

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media