76ers shut down Joel Embiid for season; why it makes a Mavericks trade even worse

As if Dallas' trade deadline couldn't get any worse.

Feb 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) and guard Max Christie (00) in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers made the decision to shut down Joel Embiid for the rest of the season on Friday due to ongoing issues in his left knee. He's played in just 19 games this season, though he played against the Dallas Mavericks a few weeks ago and put up 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Philly win. But with the 76ers losing their last nine games and sitting at 20-38, it makes sense to shut him down as they try to keep their first-round pick.

So, what does this have to do with the Mavericks? Let's revisit the trade the two teams made before this season's trade deadline.

READ MORE: Mavericks-Kevin Durant trade rumors to heat up this summer based on latest reports

Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) reacts after scoring against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Just before the trade deadline, the Mavericks sent Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Caleb Martin. The Mavericks managed to change the terms of the trade once they did a physical on Martin and found out his injury was worse than the 76ers were letting on, so the 76ers threw in a 2030 second-round pick. What Dallas should've done is remove the 2025 second-rounder because it was Philadelphia's own second-round pick that Dallas sent back.

The 76ers' first-round pick is projected to go to the OKC Thunder unless it falls within the top six, and they currently have the sixth-best lottery odds with 24 games to play. They're likely going to do whatever it takes to stay within the top six. That means the pick that Dallas gave up is likely to fall somewhere between 34-36 overall in a deep and talented draft class and a player averaging 13.4 PPG, all for a player who has yet to play a game. And Caleb Martin is older and on the same level as Grimes. It was a disaster of a trade overshadowed by the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis debacle when it first happened, and it's only gotten worse as time passes.

READ MORE: Further details emerge of Anthony Edwards-Luka Doncic talks before Lakers-Mavericks trade

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