It's difficult for the Philadelphia 76ers to view Joel Embiid as anything other than the MVP who was promised. Between 2020-21 and 2022-23, he won an MVP award, twice finished second in MVP voting, and took home two scoring titles for good measure.
Unfortunately, Embiid has appeared in just 64 of the 76ers' past 181 regular season games—thus making a trade for Domantas Sabonis an option worth exploring.
With all due respect to Sabonis, trading Embiid for him or just about anyone else is a difficult sell. There are levels to greatness and the 76ers' franchise player has reached Wilt Chamberlain peaks of per-minute production on the scoring front while anchoring the team on defense.
The Sabonis possibility can't be overlooked in light of three consecutive seasons of injuries to Embiid, however, especially after Michael Scotto of HoopsHype's recent report. Per Scotto:
"The Sacramento Kings were among the teams to inquire regarding the availability of Ja Morant and have signaled the franchise will gauge the trade market for Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan."
Scotto continued, reporting that Sabonis has grown unhappy with the Kings and the manner in which he's been utilized during their downward spiral.
"However, Sabonis has been disappointed with Sacramento’s downward trajectory since reaching the playoffs and his usage at times under coach Doug Christie, league sources told HoopsHype."
For a 76ers team that needs a starting center who will consistently be available to play games, Sabonis is an intriguing option to consider.
Joel Embiid for Domantas Sabonis would be a risky yet rewarding trade
There's undeniable risk involved in this trade for both parties. For Sacramento, it would be bringing in a player whose injury history would make it entirely unclear what it can realistically expect at the center position, even if there is MVP upside.
For Philadelphia, it would be trading an MVP for a player who has never received an All-NBA nod above the Third Team and would be losing defensive value.
The reality facing both Philadelphia and Sacramento, however, is that change is necessary for either team to take a step forward. The Kings have gone all-in on a cast of All-Stars and talented scorers, but lack a true go-to scorer to build around, let alone an interior anchor—characteristics Sabonis doesn't necessarily epitomize.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, can no longer realistically wait for Embiid to be healthy and must figure out an alternative approach to maximizing the Tyrese Maxey era.
With Embiid, Sacramento would have a true No. 1 scoring option and a defensive anchor to give its team an identity. With Sabonis, Philadelphia would have an All-NBA player down low who specializes in creating for teammates by facilitating pin downs, screens, and cuts while still providing roughly 20 points per game.
Both teams would be taking a chance on this working out for the best, but neither is in an ideal position to view their current roster as ideal for the future.
Perhaps the greatest appeal is that Sabonis would give the 76ers a player who has played at least 70 games in each of the past three seasons and provides metronomic production. He'd instantly simplify the game for Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jared McCain, score with impressive volume, and control the glass on both ends of the floor.
It may not be the Embiid trade that was once possible, but given his contract and injury history, Sabonis could be a controversial yet valid return.