Sixers unlikely to trade Embiid despite Morey’s dismissal
Chronic injury history and $193 million contract extension render the centre difficult to move, with no definitive effort to offload him expected this offseason.
The Philadelphia 76ers are unlikely to trade Joel Embiid this offseason, despite the dismissal of president of basketball operations Daryl Morey following a second-round playoff exit. The team’s season concluded with a 30-point loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4, a sweep that extended their Eastern Conference finals drought to 25 seasons and ultimately cost Morey his position.
Bob Myers, the president of sports at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, will oversee basketball operations in an interim capacity while leading the search for Morey’s replacement. Although Myers may consider a fresh start for the franchise, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that the Sixers are not expected to make a definitive effort to offload Embiid, regardless of who is in charge.
Embiid’s availability remains the primary obstacle to any potential trade. He has appeared in only 281 of 482 possible regular-season games during Morey’s six-year tenure and has never played more than 68 games in a single campaign. His injury history includes numerous knee, back, foot, thumb, and head issues, with the only instance of him being fully healthy during the playoffs occurring in the 2020 bubble season.
Financial and structural factors further complicate his trade value. Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million contract extension in September 2024, which kicks in next season and runs through 2028, with a player option for 2029. The new collective bargaining agreement imposes restrictive team-building rules, making it difficult for any acquiring team to construct a winning roster around him while he is under contract.
Despite the challenges, the Sixers possess a young backcourt featuring Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, which is viewed as a potential foundation for a rebuild. Embiid, who acknowledged uncertainty about his own future following the season-ending loss, remains a beloved figure in Philadelphia. However, with the collective bargaining agreement limiting flexibility and his health history raising concerns, a trade this summer appears improbable.
