Stein on 76ers’ Joel Embiid, Knicks Switch Rumors: ‘There Are No Legs to It… YET’

Lower than one week a ways off from one other disappointing playoff exit, Joel Embiid’s future with the Philadelphia 76ers has change into the field of rumors and hypothesis energetic the Novel York Knicks.

NBA insider Marc Stein on Substack addressed the Embiid-Knicks talk as “strictly media chatter” correct now: “There are now no longer any legs to it…YET.”

Stefan Bondy of the Novel York On daily foundation News reported on Friday that he is been told since midseason Embiid “is the actual person to peep for the Knicks,” and the Sixers’ playoff loss to the Boston Celtics “easiest intensified that perception.”

The Sixers are facing the different of shedding James Harden this summer. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported there is a perception among NBA executives that the ten-time All-Megastar will decide out of his deal and signal with the Houston Rockets.

Dropping Harden would dash away Philadelphia in a posh say because it tries to create around Embiid. The group is already trying to fetch a brand contemporary head coach after firing Doc Rivers on Tuesday.

Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Sixers would possess access to the $12.2 million taxpayer mid-stage exception if Harden signs with a bunch that has cap apartment, however they are able to’t rep below the cap unless Harden leaves and exchange Tobias Harris.

Clearly, trading Embiid would also rep Philadelphia below the cap. However that can possibly, likely be a final-resort option easiest if he demands to be moved. Subsequent season marks the first year of Embiid’s four-year, $210 million contract signed in August 2021.

There has been no indication at this point Embiid needs to dash away the 76ers. The reigning NBA MVP had a tough postseason with 23.7 capabilities on 43.1 p.c shooting and 9.8 rebounds per sport in 9 starts.

Embiid suffered a sprained LCL in Sport 3 of the first-spherical series in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets that saved him out for 2 games.

The Knicks possess the capability to strike whereas the iron is sizzling this offseason. They won a playoff series this year for the first time since 2012-13. Jalen Brunson established himself as a enormous name player in his first season in Novel York.

Novel York has 11 first-spherical draft picks over the following seven years, plus skill exchange chips fancy Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin to upgrade the roster for subsequent season.