NBA execs think that if the Sixers do explore a trade this summer, Joel Embiid is more likely to be moved than Ben Simmons, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
What league insiders expect: Most don't expect Brown to be retained if Philly loses early in the playoffs. But would they actually break up the Simmons-Embiid duo?
There is no consensus, but league execs think that if the Sixers do explore a trade, Embiid is more likely to be moved — health being the determining factor in building around Simmons. One exec added that a big trade featuring Simmons or Embiid might be the only way to reshape the team.
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons continue to be an iffy fit together since both All-Stars do most of their damage in the paint, creating a lack of floor spacing for the Sixers. The addition of Al Horford has only exacerbated the issue.
Embiid has appeared in 39 games for the Sixers this season. He’s averaging 22.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Simmons, meanwhile, is putting up 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. The lefty is shooting 58.4 percent overall, but that’s only because he shoots all of his shots near the basket.
If the Sixers don’t go on a deep playoff run this season, Embiid and Simmons are both going to find themselves in trade rumors moving forward. Philly, who was picked by many to contend for the Eastern Conference championship this season, went 34-21 during the first half of the season.
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