The New York Knicks surpassed expectations this past season, reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals with the help of Jalen Brunson. As New York looks ahead to the offseason, pursuing moves to end one of the longest championship droughts in sports, one primary trade target has emerged.
Amid the swirling NBA trade rumors, a few All-Stars have been floated as trade candidates. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam are among potential options. However, New York’s focus seems to be on another star.
- Joel Embiid stats (2022-’23): 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 BPG, .259 WS/48
Related: New York Knicks increasingly focused on Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers could potentially lose James Harden this summer, with the All-Star guard weighing his options in NBA free agency. If he departs, it will leave a massive void in the 76ers’ lineup and that appears to be the first domino to fall that New York hopes leads to a chain reaction for the 76ers.
Appearing on the Hoop Collective Podcast, NBA insider Tim MacMahon shared that the Knicks are hoping things go “haywire” in Philadelphia and Embiid asks for a trade.
“They’re not hoping for patience, they’re hoping for The Process. I don’t know if that’s coming, but they’ve looked at that situation in Philly and there’s been a hope in New York that stuff in Philly will go haywire to the point where Embiid will ask out. I don’t know the percentage odds on that, I would say they are slim, but that’s been the hope.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on New York Knicks’ interest in Joel Embiid
The 76ers haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals in more than two decades. While they have made the playoffs in six consecutive seasons with Embiid, one of the highest-paid NBA players has often fallen short in playoff matchups.
Related: NBA insider addresses Joel Embiid trade rumors to New York Knicks
New York has stockpiled first-round picks in recent years and filled its roster with young contributors who would interest teams looking to rebuild. If Embiid decides that Philadelphia can no longer offer him an opportunity to win a championship, he could demand a trade.
While there will be plenty of suitors involved if Embiid hits the trade market, the Knicks will likely be the favorites. Boasting the resources to acquire him and then make him the star of the franchise, New York would instantly become a championship contender with Embiid and Brunson.
