Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is sending a clear message to the Sixers that he hopes the front office will keep the team’s core intact ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
76ers Could Make Trade For Cap Flexibility
At the 2025 trade deadline, the 76ers traded Caleb Martin and KJ Martin in separate cost-cutting moves. They also moved Danuel House and Jaden Springer the season prior to dip below the luxury tax line.
While Philadelphia is now operating about $7 million above the tax line this season, there have been rumors that the team will once again be looking to make another salary dump at the deadline.
Embiid is hoping that it doesn’t happen, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“We’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years,” Embiid said. “So hopefully, we keep the same team. I love all of the guys that are in here. And I think we got a shot.
“I don’t know what [the front office is] going to do. But I hope that we get a chance to go out there and compete because we got a good group of guys in this locker room, and the vibes are great. … Hopefully we think about improving because we have a chance.”
Sixers Now Thriving With Big Three
The 76ers won just 24 games last season after Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Embiid played 14 games (they were 7-7) together and 11.2% of total possessions.
Their absences led to coach Nick Nurse rolling out a league-high 55 different starting lineups.
However, the Sixers this season have already exceeded their projected win total through their first 47 games. Philadelphia is currently 26-21 and ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Both Embiid and Paul George have managed to stay healthy, Tyrese Maxey is averaging career-high numbers, and lottery pick VJ Edgecombe has already emerged as a solid starter.
Philadelphia Won’t Trade Grimes Or Oubre Jr.
With all of that mind, the 76ers have been rumored to trade either Quentin Grimes ($8.74 million) or Kelly Oubre Jr. (8.38 million) to drop below the luxury tax line.
Both players are on expiring contracts, per Spotrac.
Despite those reports from earlier this month, sources recently told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst that the Sixers aren’t pursuing a cost-cutting move involving either player.
Since league insiders are expecting Grimes and Oubre Jr. to remain on the roster, this means the 76ers could potentially trade Eric Gordon ($3.63 million) or Andre Drummond ($5 million).
Even then, moving Gordon and Drummond wouldn’t do much to help their tax situation or team chemistry, as the former has been serving as a mentor to Edgecombe.
