Grade the Mock Trade: 76ers rebuild, send Joel Embiid to the Knicks

Why the 76ers have to steer clear of trading Joel Embiid at all, especially to the Knicks

Admittedly, pinpointing the benefits of this mock trade for the 76ers is as difficult as ratiocinating the very purpose of the Chinese balloon.

To be blunt, this proposal is extremely skewed to favor New York and its longstanding attempt to truly get out of the NBA’s orbit of mediocrity. For all the merits of stating the fast-rising truth of Joel Embiid possibly wanting out of Philadelphia in the future for all the reasons stated before, there must at least be an ounce of prudence when concocting a trade that could easily alter the league’s very landscape.

Well, there wasn’t.

First, expecting Philly to once again go through the exhaustive process is unrealistic. Even if Embiid wants out, the front office will undeniably desire a young established star in return, not the could-be variants. After all, the league’s tolerance and rules for tanking and establishing the NBA Draft order is a lot more unforgiving than the time when Sam Hinkie piloted the franchise.

Second, the draft additives fail to inject some inspiration, if at all. New York’s picks fit within their expected Big Three’s prime and are likely to be in the high 20’s. Washington’s stance makes their pick unlikely to convey. Only Milwaukee’s is probable to materialize into an actual asset.

To encapsulate this: no.

Grade: D-