If the NBA still handed out Comeback Player of the Year awards, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid would be among the favorites. After a series of injuries left his career hanging in the balance, the big man has bounced back in a big way. Now being handled with care, he’s only been able to play in 33 of the Sixers’ 61 games to this point of the season. However, he’s posting averages of 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest.
Given the juxtaposition between the way that Embiid’s played this season and his injury history, he feels time is of the essence. His playoff history, the elephant in the room, only adds to the sense that he needs to strike now. As a result, he implored Philadelphia’s front office to fortify their roster at the trade deadline.
Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Connected To 76ers Via Trade Rumors
It’s anybody’s guess how Embiid felt when the 76ers traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, receiving not one player in return. However, Philadelphia may have indeed had designs on adding at least one All-Star-level player at the deadline.
“Executives have said that the Sixers were actively making calls pre-deadline, though nothing seemed remotely close,” Yahoo Sports insider Kevin O’Connor reports. “Some sources suggest that Morey was star hunting with Kawhi Leonard being a name that was connected to Philly. But nothing happened.”
Was The Klaw Available?
With the Clippers’ other pre-deadline moves, there was a line of thought that Kawhi Leonard could be traded soon.
Los Angeles swapped 36-year-old playmaker James Harden for 26-year-old point guard Darius Garland, signifying a youth movement. To that point, at 34 years old, Leonard’s timeline is closer to Harden’s than Garland’s. As Garland is a highly regarded two-time All-Star, one could argue that the Clippers didn’t believe there would be a significant drop-off. However, with L.A. also trading former mainstay Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers (acquiring impending restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin in the process), they’re definitely more focused on the future than the present.
On top of that, the NBA is still investigating the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. Though nobody’s sure what the result will be, Leonard’s contract could end up being voided. Even if it doesn’t, the situation has left a dark stain on both the franchise and player. Parting ways could be the best way for everyone to save face.
That being said, it makes sense why Philadelphia thought that Leonard might be available.
Will They Sixers Try Again?
With the 76ers and Clippers stitching the Paul George deal together, there’s already a pre-established relationship between the front offices. That should help grease the wheels on a future trade if they ever do revisit the partnership. However, Philly should be wary about rekindling an old flame. From his play on the court to his absences from it, George’s Sixers tenure has been uninspiring. In fact, one has to wonder whether Philadelphia was trying to get out from under George in their conversations about Leonard.
Keep in mind though, both George and Leonard are under contract through next season. As a result, their current teams may try to find them a new home in the summer. That may not result in George heading back to the Clippers, especially if they commit to a rebuild. Nevertheless, Leonard could very well take his talents to the City of Brotherly Love. All it might require is for the 76ers to find a team to take George off their hands.
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