The Philadelphia 76ers have assembled an impressive roster with championship ambitions, but questions surrounding Joel Embiid’s health could complicate their plans.
With LeBron James now part of the picture, speculation is growing that Philadelphia could consider a blockbuster trade involving Anthony Davis if its superstar center struggles to stay healthy.
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Philadelphia’s revamped lineup features James, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Embiid, giving the franchise plenty of star power heading into the season.
However, keeping everyone healthy and finding the right balance will be crucial if the 76ers hope to compete for the Eastern Conference title.
Concerns about Embiid’s mobility emerged during preseason discussions, with ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins questioning how comfortably the center was moving on the court.
Perkins suggested James could be required to spend considerable time at center, potentially changing Philadelphia’s approach to its starting lineup.
"I didn't like the way that Joel Embiid looked last night. I didn't like the way that he was getting up and down the floor...to me, he wasn't moving well, which pointed to me that says LeBron James is gonna play a lot of center position this year,” said Perkins.
“LeBron James is gonna have to and guess what? The Philadelphia 76ers actually could win the Eastern Conference this year, and make it to the NBA Finals with LeBron James playing majority of the center position.”
Could Anthony Davis replace Joel Embiid in Philadelphia?
CBS Sports analyst Sam Quinn believes a potential Embiid-for-Davis trade is worth considering, particularly given James’ history with his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate.
The two stars won an NBA championship together in 2020, and bringing Davis to Philadelphia would reunite them in pursuit of another title.
Davis would provide defensive versatility, rim protection and experience playing alongside James. His ability to defend multiple positions could also give Philadelphia greater flexibility, especially if Embiid struggles with his movement or availability.
However, such a deal remains hypothetical. Quinn’s assessment hinges on Davis remaining healthy while Embiid experiences continued difficulties.
Davis’ future has also attracted attention because of questions surrounding a potential contract extension with the Washington Wizards. The Athletic’s Josh Robbins has suggested that Davis’ influential agent, Rich Paul, will likely continue assessing possible destinations as the February trade deadline approaches.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Philadelphia is negotiating a deal. Any trade would require careful consideration of contracts and the injury histories of both players. Swapping Embiid for Davis wouldn’t eliminate the health risks confronting the franchise.
Meanwhile, Maxey has made clear that Embiid’s availability remains essential to Philadelphia’s success.
The guard explained that having the center on the court allows teammates to develop offensive combinations and understand how to play around his unique skill set.
"You can put in more packages," Maxey said. "There's been times where he hasn't been healthy and we get into the game and now we're trying to learn on the (fly)."
Embiid has averaged 49 appearances per season across his career and played only 38 games last season while dealing with multiple health problems.
His presence during preseason preparations, however, offers encouragement for a team hoping to build chemistry early.
Philadelphia’s decision could depend on how Embiid performs throughout the campaign.
If he remains healthy, the 76ers have compelling reasons to keep their core together. If his availability becomes a recurring concern, Davis could emerge as an intriguing hypothetical target.