Joel Embiid Is Packing His Bags Next... Because Apparently the 76ers Are Playing NBA Survivor

Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis? Could the 76ers orchestrate it in order to get LeBron?

By Errol Marks • Jul 6, 2026

In this New York Knicks championship winning off-season, don't be shocked if one day you wake up, grab your coffee, open your phone, and Woj—or whoever is breaking the news these days—is reporting that Embiid is headed somewhere else.

Joel Embiid is the next domino to fall.

The 76ers already shocked the NBA when they somehow convinced Boston to hand over Jaylen Brown in exchange for Paul George, a couple of first-round picks, and second-rounders. Whether Brad Stevens was temporarily hypnotized or accidentally hit "Accept Trade" while cleaning his phone, Philadelphia pulled off one of the biggest steals we've seen in years.

Now throw LeBron James rumors into the mix because apparently every offseason now includes LeBron being linked to roughly 27 teams before training camp. If LeBron somehow ends up in Philadelphia with Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, then the Eastern Conference better start updating its emergency contact list.

CBS Sports' Sam Quinn had one of the wildest trade ideas yet, floating the possibility of Philadelphia trading Joel Embiid to Washington for Anthony Davis. Yes, trading one superstar who's always injured for another superstar who's always injured.

Now don't get me wrong. Anthony Davis is still unbelievable when healthy. He can guard every position, finish around the rim, knock down jumpers, and completely change a basketball game defensively. The problem? The phrase "when healthy" has become a guessing game.

Meanwhile, Embiid isn't exactly Mr. Durable himself. Every year, Philadelphia fans convince themselves that "This is the year." Then sometime around February the injury report starts looking like a CVS receipt. In other words, this has become an annual tradition. At this point, Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis should come with AppleCare.

Would Washington even do this? Maybe, maybe not, but here's what caught my attention: People are actually talking about moving Embiid. A year ago, that conversation would've been considered insane. Today? Not so much.

His contract is enormous.

The injuries keep piling up.

The Sixers just changed the direction of their roster by bringing in Jaylen Brown.

LeBron rumors won't disappear.

The bottom line is that if Philadelphia feels this current core isn't enough to win a championship, then nothing should surprise anyone. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Joel Embiid is the next superstar whose name is going to dominate trade conversations. Maybe it happens this season, maybe next offseason, but I don't believe he's finishing that contract wearing a 76ers uniform.

In truth, ever since the Knicks won the championship, the NBA has officially become one giant reality show, where nobody knows who's getting voted off the island next.

Kevin Durant moved, Jaylen Brown got traded, LeBron's connected to everybody with a basketball hoop, Giannis rumors never stop, and Joel Embiid? He's standing there holding his suitcase just waiting for somebody to call his name. If that day comes, don't say you weren't warned because you heard it first on NYS Sports Loud Mouth.

And in today's NBA? The main component that is unreliable is believing your franchise player is actually untouchable, unless you are the New York Knicks.

I’m from a small town in Long Island. Growing up I was very competitive and very into sports. I followed teams like the Yankees, Jets, Knicks and the Islanders. I always had a love for sports, and my whole life I had dreams to become a professional athlete. However, this was short lived due to a knee injury. After many years of trying to figure out of what I wanted to do with my career, I found my true passion for radio. After college, I took part in a mentorship at CBS Sports Radio where I also had the opportunity to help produce with my mentor, Dan Schwartzman, host of “Going Deep” on NBC Sports Radio.