Paul Pierce believes Joel Embiid would benefit from a move to the Lakers or the Timberwolves.
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers began this season hoping to compete for an NBA championship. The 76ers acquired Paul George to form a big three with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, their season turned out to be an utter disaster. George didn’t click well with the team, Embiid suffered a season-ending injury, while their rookie, Jared McCain, met the same fate.
They have been rewarded for their struggles, as the 76ers got the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. As such, they have a decision to make about their future.
The 76ers are likely to trade their draft pick. But Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett believe Joel Embiid should be the one to make way.
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Pierce and Garnett: Joel Embiid should join Lakers or Timberwolves
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett spoke on their podcast about Joel Embiid’s future. Pierce believes that the Lakers should try to land Embiid.
Another option he presented was to send Embiid to the Timberwolves, a move that Garnett, a former Timberwolves star, backed. However, KG does believe some big assets will need to go.
Paul Pierce: “If you could find a way to get Embiid to the Lakers. LeBron will probably retire another year, Luka and him, where else?”
Kevin Garnett: “That’d be crazy if Embiid went to the Lakers.”
Pierce: “Embiid to Minnesota. Take all of them, whoever… Give them that young Dillingham, that kid off the bench, you can develop him.
Garnett (on if he was 76ers GM): “No, I don’t want that, for the big fella, I want everything over there. Give me Naz Reid, DiVincenzo, Randle, and Rudy.”
Pierce: “Here you got them all.”
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76ers must consider team trajectory
With Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey forming a strong backcourt, and the third overall pick to acquire a new franchise player, should the 76ers consider trading Embiid?
Moving Embiid would mark the end of the ‘process’ era, one that failed to win the NBA championship despite numerous attempts.
Embiid is 31 years old and has a myriad of injuries that have affected his ability to play regular and consistent basketball.
Not to mention Paul George’s enormous contract being a huge salary cap burden for the team. It might be time to walk away from the Embiid era.