The Sacramento Kings just took a tough hit in the NBA Draft Lottery, sliding two spots to land the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That tumble crushed their hopes of drafting a new franchise cornerstone—but according to one anonymous NBA executive, there's a wild alternative on the table.

The rumor mill is buzzing with a potential blockbuster: the Kings trading Domantas Sabonis to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for superstar center Joel Embiid. It's a long-shot scenario, but it's got fans talking.

Philadelphia is already shaking things up this offseason. They fired president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, while head coach Nick Nurse is sticking around. After another disappointing playoff exit, the Sixers seem ready to retool the roster—and Embiid's name is bound to surface in trade talks.

The 32-year-old Embiid is three years removed from his MVP season and hasn't made an All-Star team since 2024. His playoff performances have been inconsistent, and with his injury history, moving on might make sense for Philly. But would the Kings really take that gamble?

Sacramento is already projected to be over the luxury tax for the 2026-27 season. Swapping Sabonis for Embiid would add about $12.4 million to the payroll next year, and that tax bill would only grow. Plus, Sabonis's contract runs through 2028, while Embiid is set to earn a whopping $69 million in 2028-29. That's a massive financial commitment for a team that's not exactly championship-ready.

Then there's the durability factor. Embiid has a long history of injuries, and there's a real chance his availability could decline sharply over the next couple of seasons. The Kings might find themselves stuck with a former MVP who's rarely on the court—a risk that could haunt them for years.