1. The 76ers should not trade Joel Embiid even if hell breaks loose
Did you truly expect any other name to cap this list off? Well, even if hell breaks loose, the Philadelphia 76ers should never trade Joel Embiid. All-Star caliber players come in bunches annually, but MVP-level players like him certainly skip a generation at times.
Coming off an eventful Gold Medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Embiid has rhythm and momentum on his side to begin the season. Early MVP forecasts have him as one of the favorites to snag the MVP plum, a likely proposition should the 76ers rise to the top of the Eastern Conference and if he stays healthy enough to breach the 65-game requirement.
There’s no better one-on-one scorer in the NBA than Embiid. Put simply, absolutely no one can guard him when he faces up. As has been the case in recent seasons, his biggest obstacle is himself. Hopefully, he can finally exorcise his demons, especially in the playoffs, and lead the franchise to its first championship in more than four decades.