Knicks 'In That Mode' To Trade For NBA MVP Joel Embiid?
An MVP in NYC? NBA are insiders hinting it's possible.
The Association's conference finals are in full swing but eyes have turned to one of the teams that fell short of the semifinal round. Among those watching the Boston Celtics battle the Miami Heat will be the Philadelphia 76ers, who fell to the former in seven despite boasting the services of newly-minted NBA MVP Joel Embiid. Philadelphia has since fired head coach Doc Rivers after three seasons, apparently paying no mind to Embiid's apparent endorsement of the 2008 champion.
That has the 76ers' divisional rivals and fellow partners in second-round heartbreak, the New York Knicks "rubbing their hands together," ESPN NBA insider Tim MacMahon said.
MacMahon made his comments as a guest on the podcast of fellow Worldwide Leader rep Zach Lowe, who seconded the notion of the Knicks keeping an eye on the situation in Philadelphia. Lowe noted that Embiid "loves Philly" and admits it'd be "very hard" to see him enforce "I’m really forcing my way out of here model," he could be in a bit of an awkward situation if potential free-agent-to-be and fellow All-Star James Harden moves on.
But he did say that Embiid would be well-worth an all-or-nothing deal for the Knicks, who have already been hypothetically matched to names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Karl-Anthony Towns in the fledgling stages of the 2022-23 offseason.
"Why am I upending my team for Damian Lillard if he becomes available? I got a point guard (in Jalen Brunson)," Lowe declared. I’m not putting all my chips. I missed my chance on (Donovan) Mitchell, and that’s fine. We rebounded from that. That turned out to be an okay decision. I still got all these chips.”
“Towns (isn't) the guy that I’m playing those chips for. I’m waiting for the next guy. Embiid? That’s the guy I’m playing all the chips for.”
Bill Simmons of The Ringer is also shipping the Knicks and Embiid, remarking that the Knicks' case is just a matter of being patient. Claiming the Knicks are "in that mode" for Embiid's services, he noted that both president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley previously collaborated with the Philadelphia superstar prior to their entry into the New York front office.
“The Knicks are just waiting for Embiid to say, ‘It’s time for me to go,'” Simmons said on his eponymous podcast. “They have their relationships. They have Leon and Wes, who are his (Embiid’s) guys. They have been waiting for this moment right now, and it’s here.”
While the Knicks' missed out on some prime draft capital in Tuesday night's lottery and it could be difficult to deal players like RJ Barrett and Julius Randle due to the nine-figure contract extensions, they've built up a solid foundation of youth that could prove attractive to teams looking to get younger but still linger in the win column.
Perhaps the last thing Knicks fans need is further superstar speculation after being fed a summer full of Mitchell rumors that ultimately yielded nothing. But when it comes to the potential of adding a superstar like Embiid, due diligence should, at the very least, be taken.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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