The Philadelphia 76ers have already made one massive splash this summer, and CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn thinks they could make another one that would shake up the league even more.
After Philadelphia’s June 2 deal with the Boston Celtics - sending Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Jaylen Brown - the conversation around the 76ers has shifted fast. Quinn also pointed to the possibility that the team could land LeBron James in free agency, a scenario that would put the franchise in position to make a serious run if everything stays healthy.
But Quinn doesn’t see Joel Embiid as a lock to remain the centerpiece in Philadelphia. Instead, he floated a trade that would send Embiid and draft capital to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Anthony Davis, the former Lakers star who was unhappy with how Los Angeles handled the end of his time there.
“Here's the wild suggestion: Joel Embiid and draft capital for Anthony Davis,” Quinn wrote Sunday. “The 76ers can still trade their unprotected 2033 first-round pick, plus a handful of swaps. Embiid has the NBA's worst contract... but a Davis extension might age worse.”
Quinn continued: “As it stands, Embiid's present deal is only one year longer. Embiid is certainly more injury-prone, but Davis is about as close as any other star in the NBA.
Embiid at least played at an All-NBA level when he was available last season. Davis did not.
I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand as the Wizards.”
Then came the line that tied the whole idea together: “There are absolutely worlds in which Embiid is simply better than Davis over the next handful of seasons. He just isn't a former teammate of LeBron's.”
It’s the kind of proposal that would almost certainly land badly with a lot of 76ers fans. And it’s easy to see why. If Philadelphia is going to move off Embiid, the return has to be a star of similar stature who doesn’t bring the same injury baggage.
Davis is still a force when he’s right. At 6-foot-11, he can attack defenders off the dribble with a simple but effective handle, operate from triple-threat spots with patience and skill, and protect the rim at an elite level. That package makes him one of the most unique frontcourt players in the league.
The problem is the risk that comes with him now. One awkward landing or misstep can change everything, and that’s not the kind of volatility the 76ers should be eager to add when they already have an injury-riddled center of their own.
So while the idea is intriguing, it’s hard to picture Philadelphia seriously entertaining it.
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