I would love Embiid on the Wolves, but we're already two deep at the C position with Pekovic and Dieng, and Pekovic, while not terrible on defense, is far more of an offensive-minded C. That's why Dieng is great to have, because he's an excellent contrast and does different stuff better than Pek does.

Embiid has the potential to be **** balls amazing, but in addition to this being a very unlikely trade, I don't know if it's in the Wolves' best interests right now.

You can acquire all the young budding talent you want, but at some point players got to assert themselves and grow out of the rookie stage. That's the problem the Cavs had up until Lebron joined them.

They had Luol Deng. He's talking about Gorgui Dieng.

Much different dude.

Good point. I just like the idea of stockpiling said talent, since the Wolves have been devoid of it for a while (outside of Love and flashes from Rubio).

There's no reason at all for Philly to trade Embiid for something like that. They're in massive tank mode.

If Dieng/Noel/Embiid is includuded in the deal then I'm interested. But we won't give up both Wiggins and Waiters, so I don't see it working. Cleveland is still saying Wiggins isn't on the table too.

CAVS
Love
Dieng

WOLVES
Embiid
Wiggins
Bennett

SIXERS
Kevin Martin
Dion Waiters
JJ Barea
First round pick (CLE)
First round pick (MIA)


Sixers essentially trade Joel Embiid for Dion Waiters and two first round picks (Miami's is completely unprotected in 2017).

Cavs trade Wiggins, Bennett, Waiters, and two picks for Kevin Love and Gorgui Dieng.

Wolves trade Kevin Love, Kevin Martin, Gorgui Dieng, and JJ Barea for Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, and Joel Embiid.


No idea if that works for the NBA, but I'm fairly certain it would work for all teams involved.

You could replace Noel with embiid. The sixers aren't trying to win now so they can wait. Of the two, I'd easily take embiid. Even if I'm the cavs, if I have to wait for embiid to be ready, I absolutely jump on that opportunity.

And again, the Wolves owner has been saying that Kevin Love isn't on the table, either.

Likely story, right?

The Wolves are apparently interested in Thaddeus Young in this arrangement.

Also, I like this because it would basically put Shabazz Muhammed into the starting SG role. He did fairly well for what little he played last season, so as a rebuilding team this would give us a good long look at what we actually have in terms of talent.

Behind Shabazz, though? Uhh... wow... we've got Alexei Shved and Zach LaVine as a combo guard who's still really really raw.

When in doubt, tank the season, though, right?

If the cavs are getting love and a center like Noel or embiid, they should give up Waiters, Wiggins, Bennett, and picks. The trade scenario is one where everyone wins. Cavs get a stud but also a first contact rim protector, Minnesota gets an excellent young veteran and a huge prospect plus unloads bad contracts, Philly gets some young talent yet sets themselves up to tank this year while staying above the minimum salary threshold. This is a deal I would do cartwheels over and Minnesota should too.

I'm guessing the Sixers hate the trade (in retrospect).

Probably, but they'd definitely be in position to land a skilled big in next year's draft. And that player would see the floor the same time Embiid does. They also solidify their backcourt while going into a draft loaded with big men and a dearth of guards.

Everyone gets what they want:

Cleveland wins now.
Minnesota gets massive star potential
Philadelphia gets to suck for another year while stockpiling future assets.

While at the same time trading away their most valuable asset (a potential super elite franchise player). Never going to happen.

If I had to bet on whether or not Embiid ever plays for the Sixers, I'd absolutely bet against it.