We’re entering Year 10 of “The Process,” the phrase former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie used to discuss the team's designed transformation from laughingstock to NBA champions (still waiting on that).

“The Process” is short for “Trust the Process” a phrase that is forever-linked to star center Joel Embiid, who has always been playful about the Sixers’ tank job under Hinkie that saw them win fewer than 20 games in three straight seasons. The tanking helped Philly be in position to draft Embiid No. 3 overall in 2014.

After some injuries, Embiid has held up his end of "The Process" and reached the pinnacle of his career individually. After taking runner-up in NBA Most Valuable Player voting consecutive seasons, Embiid finally won the award this past season.

But team success hasn't followed. Now it appears Embiid may be thinking about his next steps. 

After James Harden publicly roasted GM Daryl Morey and vowed never to play on his team again, Embiid has taken a quieter, but noticeable, stance, removing the term "Processing" and his location of "Philadelphia, Pa." from his X (formerly Twitter) profile. 

If this coming season doesn’t pan out, Embiid may become the latest star to request a trade. Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has revealed his NBA futures odds for Embiid’s 2024-25 team. 

Joel Embiid Next Team Odds

Odds are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect odds that may be available on legal betting apps.

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What Happens with Joel Embiid?

There’s no denying anymore that Embiid is a special talent. He’s been an NBA All-Star in each season he’s played at least 32 games. The past two seasons he’s paced the league in scoring. In 2022-23, he averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. 

Team success hasn’t matched it. The Sixers haven't gotten past the second round in his career (three straight second-round exits with Embiid healthy and five straight losses in the semis overall). The Sixers have just one regular-season divisional title, and they have yet to even advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, let alone the NBA Finals. Allen Iverson roamed Philly the last time the Sixers advanced to the Finals (2001), and Dr. J the last time they won it all (1983).

Now, Embiid’s no longer joking and tweeting about “The Process.” He appears to be perturbed that there’s not been more progress. Earlier this summer, the six-time All-Star wondered aloud if his championship aspirations will be fulfilled in Philly as planned, or elsewhere.  

Embiid’s inability to remain healthy hasn’t helped. He’s never played more than 68 games in an 82-game season, and has missed playoff games in five of the six seasons he team has qualified for them. 

Whether Embiid likes it or not, he is locked into a contract with the 76ers that runs through the 2026-27 season at an average of over $52 million annually (if he opts into his player option for '25-26). If the Sixers won’t want to move him, they don’t have to - unless Embiid forces their hand the way many an NBA star has recently. 

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Still, it will take a ridiculous amount in return for them to move Embiid to a rival such as the Celtics or Knicks. 

Future Landing Spots for Reigning MVP

If Philly does decide to move on, chances are it’ll have to take a lot of salary back in return. If we’re talking Projected Practical Cap Space, several teams could make a move after this coming season without totally collapsing its payroll. 

Embiid will want to get moved to a contender. Of the 11 teams with more than $50 million in available project cap space for 2024-25, only one of them made the 16-team NBA Playoffs: The Philadelphia 76ers. 

Oh, the irony. 

So, now what? The one caveat is that of those projected cap numbers, all the aforementioned teams have anywhere from 8-12 players locked in to deals. The Sixers have only four. They may have little choice than to work it out and continue "The Process." 

Just five days prior to Harden's blowup and Embiid's social media statement, ESPN reported Embiid "plans to give everything he has to Philly" this coming season. So perhaps this is just a show of player-to-player solidarity with Harden, and not the beginning of the end of an era. 

Contenders with pieces and picks to sell could entice Philly. That includes the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. New York and Brooklyn have as much trade and player capital as anyone. If Philly is willing to move Embiid there, that might be where the best offers come from. Similarly, the Miami Heat could dangle Bam Adebayo if the next 12 months don’t go as planned. 

Embiid does not own a no-trade clause, so Philly is not obligated to trade him to a contender or a rival. 

The only teams that could perhaps offer more include building teams out West, the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. Each roster is full of young talent, and each has a cache of draft picks to spark rebuilds. That rebuild could certainly be hastened by adding Embiid. While it may not matter, neither spot would appear to be a top-tier choice for Embiid himself. 

Zion Williamson could be on the block, and Embiid would offer a chance of scenery for both sides. The New Orleans Pelicans reportedly were listening to offers for Zion but nothing of real substance came to fruition. A deal involving Embiid would be tough to bypass. 

The Toronto Raptors are seeking an identity. Fred VanVleet is now in Houston, Pascal Siakam could be on the move as well. Karl-Anthony Towns has been part of potential blockbuster trade scenarios this summer. The Sixers could minimize the impact of losing Embiid by acquiring the Minnesota Timberwolves' similarly talented center. 

And one can never discount the always-all-in Los Angeles Lakers, though they have their own fish to fry regarding the future of LeBron James. 

The Field includes other contenders that have trade chips and covet a playmaker in the post, or contenders that look to trades to circumvent the cap as much as possible, including the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. 

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