Given the uncertainty surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers' title-contending future in the aftermath of the trade that sent James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers, it's no surprise to see that there may already be vultures circling around Joel Embiid if the 2023 league MVP requests a trade as well. And the frontrunner for Embiid's services if it comes to that, may be the New York Knicks, if the rumor mill is to be believed.

Knicks' rumored Joel Embiid trade package

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It's never too early to prepare for a potential blockbuster trade; in the Knicks' case, they may already be gearing up and readying their package for the Sixers star. The Knicks are “willing to offer” Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier and Mitchell Robinson along with two to three first-round picks to entice the Sixers in a potential trade for Embiid, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer

However, Pompey clarified that Joel Embiid loves the Sixers franchise, although if the James Harden situation continues to go south, the reigning MVP may be forced to respectfully ask for a trade if he were to fulfill his ambitions of winning an NBA championship.

And the Harden trade saga has finally reached its conclusion for the Sixers after they dealt him (along with PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev) away to the Los Angeles Clippers for a package of Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, KJ Martin, two unprotected first-round picks, first round pick swap, and two second-round picks.

Now, it will be interesting to monitor whether Joel Embiid will follow suit and request a trade if the Sixers are unable to acquire a de facto Harden replacement.

It's fair to wonder, however, given the amount of assets the Knicks have to give up in a potential deal for Embiid whether that is the best route for him to take in his pursuit of a championship. If the Sixers indeed ask for all of the reported assets the Knicks are willing to give up, then New York will be left with a core of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Donte DiVincenzo alongside Embiid. That may not be enough to win a ring.

Of course, the Knicks could always clear out cap space or package their midsized contracts in hopes of swinging a trade for a third star, perhaps a do-it-all wing, should they acquire Joel Embiid.

Still, it stands to reason that the Sixers will be doing everything in their power to keep Embiid in town. After all, he's under contract until at least the end of the 2025-26 season; with three seasons left on Embiid's deal, Daryl Morey and the rest of the Sixers' brain trust has more than enough time on their hands to assemble a championship contender in Philly, especially if Tyrese Maxey comes into his own as a legitimate superstar.