Joel Embiid to the Detroit Pistons: Let’s make a deal
The Detroit Pistons have plenty to offer the Philadelphia 76ers if they are looking to move All-Star center Joel Embiid.
In his long career as an NBA coach, Doc Rivers has never had a straight-up post-up center like Joel Embiid. Now the new head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, Rivers will have to adjust his style to accommodate the 7-foot-2 Cameroonian in his 22nd year as a coach..
Unless, Embiid is traded, of course.
With virtually every move they have made having blown up in their face since they got rid of General Manager Sam Hinkie, the Sixers currently have a bunch of post players, no one who can consistently shoot from outside and little draft capital.
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The Pistons could help solve the 76ers woes, and all the Sixers would have to do is hand over Joel Embiid.
After sitting out his first two seasons with a foot injury, Embiid has established himself as one of the top pure center’s in the league. He has been an NBA All-Star the past three years and is a force on both the offensive and defensive ends.
With career averages of 23.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists, Embiid would immediately turn the Pistons into a playoff contender.
Of course, one could wonder why the 76ers would want to get rid of Embiid, who is only 26-years-old.
Getting rid of good players in their prime is sort of what 76ers management does. Simply watch the NBA finals and see Jimmy Butler in action for Miami. The Sixers traded him last summer and received Josh Richardson, a nice player but nowhere near the player Butler is.
In various deals, the Sixers have also traded or given up Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Mikal Bridges, JJ Redick, Richaun Holmes and Landry Shamet the past couple of years.
That is a lot of talent to let go, with very little to show for it.
Pistons president Ed Stefanski is a native Philadelphian and undoubtedly has monitored the goings-on in the City of Brotherly Love’s basketball operations.
Stefanski can make a simple pitch to SIxers GM Elton Brand (who Stefanski signed as a free agent when he was the 76ers GM): I will give you shooters, a way to make ill-fitting Al Horford viable as starting center and some really good draft picks, as well as let Rivers not have to draw up a new offensive playbook.
Just give Detroit Embiid in return.