Bill Simmons chalks up idea where Lakers can help 76ers get rid of Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers have been frustrated with superstar Joel Embiid spending most of the past season battling health issues.

Bill Simmons chalks up idea where Lakers can help 76ers get rid of Joel Embiid

Bill Simmons believes the Lakers could trade for Joel Embiid (Image via FirstSportz)

The Philadelphia 76ers endured one of the most disappointing runs (2024-25) in the history of the franchise, especially when considering the players they had at their disposal. Any team possessing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and a slew of good players on the bench should have been competing for the title.

Instead, the 76ers did not even get the chance to reach the playoffs. Injuries played their hand throughout the season. First, both George and Embiid sat out to recover. Then they came back and gave some indication of what the team could be.

Then, rookie Jared McCain went down for the season. Soon, Embiid racked up a few other minor injuries. But soon, the most important problem started to appear. His knee was bothering him, and since his recovery was not optimal, it was hindering his game.

The 76ers decided to shut him down as he prepared to visit a specialist and enlist the proper treatment and recovery procedures to come back healthy ahead of next season. But that does not guarantee anything, considering he has missed almost as many games as he has played in. Veteran journalist Bill Simmons suggested the 76ers could explore options to get rid of their center.

We’ll (Lakers) give you all of our expirings, and a first, and we’ll get you out of the Joel Embiid business. Here’s your get out of jail free card right now.

Bill Simmons said via his namesake podcast

He later clarified that the Los Angeles Lakers, with their history of going after superstars in the league, could net Joel Embiid by handing two first-round picks along with their expiring contracts. It would make sense for both sides, considering how both teams can retool their roster.

Lakers can land elite big man through this method

Bill Simmons might be chalking up a method where Joel Embiid does not face his Boston Celtics. He remembers how a not fully healthy Embiid tormented his hometown team in this past regular season. However, his idea might make sense for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

For starters, his current team will be able to get out of the monster contract extension they handed him last year. Once his inability to stay healthy became more apparent, they might be sitting on a ticking bomb.

On the other hand, the Lakers could land an elite big man. Surely the salary will make it difficult, but if LeBron James can opt out of his current deal and sign a veteran minimum contract, it could help them push for a title.

The only caveat is that they will need to ensure that the Paris Olympics gold medalist manages to stay healthy. If JJ Redick can push him into a new offseason conditioning plan, they could get some prime years out of the Kansas alum.

At 31 years old, a championship is the only thing eluding the former league MVP. If the Lakers can devise a plan where he dominates the interior, they could spark a championship run or two or more over the next few years. But this fairytale situation might not happen, considering how teams are wary of his approach towards conditioning and a team-first approach.

Joel Embiid was on the trade market this past deadline

While speaking about this trade proposition, Simmons earmarked that the Lakers will not be giving up prime players to land Embiid. Rather, they will be in a good situation to bring in rotational pieces. Hearing this, The Ringer podcast co-host Ryen Russillo revealed:

Joel Embiid was apparently on the trade market before the deadline
Joel Embiid was apparently on the trade market before the deadline (Image via Open Source/X)

I heard Embiid was available at the trade deadline. It will be irresponsible to not even ask.

Ryen Russillo said

Russillo believes if the rumor was true, then it would not hurt for the Lakers to find out what the Philadelphia 76ers want for Embiid. In a perfect world, this trade might not happen, considering how important the Cameroonian is to that franchise. But after the Luka Doncic trade, even the big man joked about how he could be traded too.

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