The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in the market for an "A-list center." It's a direct result of franchise player Luka Doncic requesting that exact type of acquisition after a year of Los Angeles promising they'll make a splash during the summer of 2026. The Philadelphia 76ers' ears should perk up at the sound of this development.
With Joel Embiid's massive three-year, $187,873,836 contract extension set to begin in 2026-27, the 76ers may have an unexpected opportunity to get out of his massive new deal.
Embiid certainly fits the description of an A-list center as a former NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion. Also a five-time All-NBA honoree and three-time All-Defense selection, Embiid is one of the most dominant players of his generation.
That seemingly fits the bill for what the Lakers could be looking for after Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that Doncic wants them to acquire an "A-list center" this offseason.
"While the 27-year-old Doncic is preparing for another season squarely in his prime, he has made one roster preference clear to Pelinka and Redick, sources said. It's the same one he made in the days after he first arrived in Los Angeles 16 months ago. "Luka's first and foremost desire is an A-list center," the source said."
Embiid isn't necessarily a perfect fit for the pick-and-roll tendencies that Doncic has as a playmaker, but he'd undoubtedly fit the A-list distinction.
Lakers in the market for an "A-list center" for Luka Doncic
Embiid's injury history is an unavoidable factor in any conversations about potential trades. He's appeared in 39 or fewer games in each of the past three seasons and is now a 32-year-old player who doesn't exactly have history on his side in terms of a righting of the ship.
Embiid missed no more than 22 games in any season between 2017-18 and 2022-23, however, appearing in 68 in 2021-22 and 66 in 2022-23.
If the Lakers can get a clean bill of health for Embiid, then perhaps negotiations could ensue. A sign-and-trade would likely be necessary, and Philadelphia would conceivably need to take back undesirable contracts belonging to players such as Jarrod Vanderbilt and, if he accepts his player option, Deandre Ayton.
It may even come to pass that a sign-and-trade revolving around LeBron James or Austin Reaves would need to incorporate Philadelphia as a third team given Embiid's massive salary.
Though it's nothing more than speculation at this point, there is obvious appeal to a Doncic and Embiid pairing. They could dominate all three levels on the offensive end of the floor, with three scoring titles and 11 All-NBA nods between them.
With most teams likely unwilling to even negotiate a trade for their A-list center, the 76ers should at least kick the tires to see if the Lakers have interest in Embiid.
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