The Philadelphia 76ers’ season came to a brutal end on Sunday, as they were swept out of the playoffs by the New York Knicks in a 30-point blowout. Losing to their I-95 rivals in such decisive fashion sends a clear message: changes are needed this summer.
While that could mean parting ways with head coach Nick Nurse, the smarter long-term play may be to build around Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe. That means moving on from the expensive, injury-prone veterans Joel Embiid and Paul George, both of whom weigh down the payroll and limit the team’s growth. Embiid’s sometimes toxic attitude only adds to the urgency.
Of course, trading either star won’t be easy. The Sixers will likely need to attach valuable assets to break the financial chains tying them to these contracts. But for the future of the franchise, it’s a necessary step. Here are five bold trade ideas to send Embiid or George out of Philly this summer.
1. Paul George to the Chicago Bulls for Patrick Williams
George is owed nearly $111 million over the next two seasons (assuming he picks up his 2027-28 player option, which he will). That’s a huge price tag for a 36-year-old who has played just 78 games over the last two years. Still, he’s the more tradeable of the two stars. The Sixers could ship him to Chicago for Patrick Williams, a forward with three years left on his deal—but at a fraction of George’s annual salary. For the Bulls, a healthy George is an immediate upgrade. For Philly, it’s cap relief and a solid bench piece.
2. Paul George to the Miami Heat for Andrew Wiggins
If Andrew Wiggins opts into the final year of his contract with the Heat—which is expected—he becomes a viable trade target. The Sixers would take on Wiggins’ expiring deal, freeing up significant cap space next summer while adding a versatile wing who can contribute on both ends. Miami gets a star with playoff pedigree, even if his health is a question mark.
3. Joel Embiid to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package of picks and young talent
The Thunder have a treasure chest of draft assets and young players. Embiid, when healthy, is a top-five talent. But his injury history and attitude make him a risky acquisition. Still, OKC could gamble on pairing him with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a championship push. Philly would get a haul of first-round picks and promising players like Josh Giddey or Cason Wallace to kickstart a rebuild.
4. Joel Embiid to the New Orleans Pelicans for Zion Williamson and picks
A swap of oft-injured superstars? It’s the kind of high-risk, high-reward move that could reshape both franchises. The Pelicans get a proven MVP candidate (when healthy), while the Sixers get a younger, more explosive talent in Zion Williamson, plus draft compensation. Both teams are betting on health, but the change of scenery could benefit everyone.
5. Paul George to the San Antonio Spurs for Keldon Johnson and salary filler
The Spurs are building around Victor Wembanyama and could use a veteran star to accelerate their timeline. George’s scoring and defense would be a perfect fit alongside Wemby. For the Sixers, they get a young, energetic scorer in Keldon Johnson and expiring contracts that clear the books for the future. It’s a win-now move for San Antonio and a forward-looking one for Philly.
None of these trades will be easy to pull off, and the Sixers will have to swallow some bitter pills—including attaching future draft picks to sweeten the deal. But if they want to move forward with Maxey and Edgecombe as the cornerstones, it’s time to make the tough calls. The era of Embiid and George in Philadelphia may be over, but the next chapter could be just as exciting.