The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in an unusual position. Two of their highest-paid veterans, Joel Embiid and Paul George, each earning over $40 million — are currently sidelined with injuries, while the franchise’s hope lies in its young core of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and VJ Edgecombe.
Despite the flashes of brilliance from these emerging stars, the Sixers sit at 10–9 after a shaky stretch against Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, and a lone win over Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are spiraling at 5–16, looking like one of the league’s biggest disappointments despite having household names such as Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Russell Westbrook. With their season collapsing early, major changes feel inevitable, and the most valuable trade chip they possess is unquestionably Domantas Sabonis.
Philadelphia has spent years trying to “trust the process,” but with Embiid now 31 years old and dealing with injuries nearly every season, it’s becoming clear that the franchise is running out of time.
As talented as he still is, the organization must seriously consider moving Embiid by the upcoming offseason, and Sacramento is the ideal trade partner.
THIS IS A PREDICTION, NOT A REPORT.
More NBA Content from TWSN:
UPDATED NBA Trade Rumors – Weekly Piece
Top-10 Most Underrated NBA Players
Joel Embiid to the Kings: Potential Trade Idea
Sacramento Kings Receive: Joel Embiid, 2028 LAC 1st Rounder
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Domantas Sabonis, Devin Carter
Why the 76ers Need to Trade Embiid
History has repeatedly shown that stacking star power rarely guarantees success. Look at the Brooklyn Nets with James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant; the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal; or the Clippers with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Superteams often fail because basketball remains a chemistry-driven, system-dependent sport.
In Philadelphia’s case, the dynamic is even more complicated. Their young trio — Maxey, Edgecombe, and McCain — thrive with pace, energy, and movement.
Embiid, however, plays a slow, methodical style built around half-court post-ups. The contrast has become glaring, and with Embiid missing large stretches for injury management, the Sixers constantly shuffle players like Andre Drummond or Adem Bona into starting roles, preventing the roster from building consistent chemistry.
That’s why teams like the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder thrive: role players stay in stable roles all season, building trust and continuity.
With Embiid missing so many games, Philadelphia never gets that luxury. While he remains capable of elite production — just two years removed from an MVP season in which he averaged 34.7 points per game — his durability concerns now overshadow his value to the Sixers’ long-term plan.
Some may ask: if Embiid’s injuries are such a concern, why would another team trade for him? The answer is simple — he’s still a top-tier talent who could thrive in a new environment.
Sacramento, in particular, can offer patience, structure, and a system that doesn’t rely on him playing 70+ games to be competitive. From the 76ers’ perspective, the potential return from Sacramento might be as strong as it gets. Sabonis is an elite offensive hub — a top-three passing center with the ability to space the floor — and would fit perfectly in Nick Nurse’s system.
Philadelphia would also acquire the Clippers’ 2028 first-round pick, a selection that could be extremely valuable given the expectation that Los Angeles will decline in the coming years. This deal may feel bold, but at this point, bold is exactly what Philadelphia needs.
Joel Embiid Stats
Joel Embiid has appeared in 11 games, averaging 25.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game. Injuries, however, have once again limited his availability and disrupted Philadelphia’s lineup continuity.