Could this open the door to Embiid requesting a trade?
Sixers’ James Harden expected to reunite with Rockets in free agency, sources say https://t.co/NFOB9pyxmc via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 19, 2023
by ChurroMemes
@Portland Trail Blazers
13 Comments
I don’t get why he would do this.
Well it’s time to annoy Philly fans with bombardment of trade proposals like they did to us a couple of offseasons ago about dame.
[the entire blazers organization and fanbase rn](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTDghbBXsAAmsFI.jpg)
I mean everything there could set the stage for Embiid asking out. He wasn’t happy about doc getting fired, either.
That said I doubt they move him super quickly even if it does come to that… and we know Morey isn’t going to take pennies on the dollar for an MVP.
Ain’t no way. Harden wants to be in Philly and this is just agent leaks to get the best deal. He took less money in Philly to help them out a year ago. Now he is just trying to leverage them into giving him the bag this time. Harden ain’t leaving.
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Also, y’all realize that the only way to get Embiid is give them literally our whole roster? Sharpe is gone, Ant gone, 3rd pick gone, all future firsts gone. Our entire future and depth gone for one guy. That is what it would take. Did y’all just watch Embiid choke? Dude ain’t the MVP. The Joker is.
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You wanna piss away our future for a choke artist and hope that “ring chasers” come fill in the bench when we have zero indication of even those types of guys being willing to come to PDX in free agency. That roster still isn’t better than Denver or BOS or MIA or other true contenders in the top tier. It wouldn’t be worth losing Sharpe, Ant, 3rd pick and all future firsts. We lose that trade.
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edit: words
Harden ain’t about that life (winning in the playoffs)
The cost it would take to pull in a current MVP would be idiotic
my turn 😈
Ant/Nurk/Keon/3/23/second rounders for Embiid and Pj.
Send everything for embiid. Yes even sharpe. Dame+embiid = no excuses anymore for not a contender
Honestly, if Harden returns to Houston, this is going to be fascinating to watch play out, especially with a GM like Morey at the helm. A couple of things to think about with Portland’s perspective in mind assuming we can believe Pompey’s report:
1. Harden can’t officially go to Houston until AFTER the draft. Now, we all know that these decisions are often made through backchannels before the negotiating window of free agency begins. That said, Philadelphia would need to be pretty convinced that they were out of it for Harden to make a move quickly.
2. Embiid would also have to be fully aware and as a result, immediately be open to moving Philly because as brazen as Morey is, I don’t think he is moving the MVP without Embiid making that request.
3. All of this becoming official after the draft makes the use of #3 as a central piece in a trade for Embiid complicated. Philly would need to desire who we draft at that slot, or simply pull the trigger on the deal before Harden’s intentions are actually publicly known. Picks, in general, tend to lose some of their luster (in most cases) once the pick is made.
4. Lastly, knowing Morey, he’ll see Harden departure from the completely opposite perspective. I am wondering if this instead, emboldens him to go all in for the replacement star (perhaps even upgrade). I could see him trying the persuade Dame and the Blazers. Unfortunately, Philly is *incredibly* short on assets at the moment, but I can’t see that stopping Morey from at least trying.
At the very least, some fun times and discussions ahead!
Do the Blazers have enough assets to compete for the literal MVP?
Trade #23 to Chicago for the Blazer’s pick back.
2023, 2025, 2027, 2029 picks + Simons + Nurk for Embiid? I kinda doubt Philly does that.
OKC would probably jump on an opportunity to pair SGA and Embiid and they have ridiculous draft capital. Embiid for Dort, Holmgren, Pokusevski and like 4 or 5 FRPs is better than Portland could offer.
SGA/Giddey/Williams/Embiid would be an insane lineup regardless of who starts at PF.
Sixers fucked their own short term championship aspirations by signing Tobias instead of Jimmy, then fucked up their long term by trading all their picks for Harden. Embiid and Tobi alone is barely a playoff team imo. He can’t stay healthy and Tobias just doesn’t have the chops to be a guy you can lean on.
Still don’t think Embiid is going to ask out. Obviously I would love if he did want to come here to play, but I think we’re more likely to see a Dame to PHI ask (from Joel, not Dame).