Golden State Warriors: Examining 5 high-profile, low-possibility trade targets

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after an injury during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after an injury during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Joel Embiid to Warriors (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid to Warriors (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers were swept in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

Joel Embiid, in some regards, did his part, averaging 30 points per game. However, he couldn’t even help his team steal one game in the series. While they were without Ben Simmons, Embiid needed to prove that he was enough of a star to lead this team on his own.

Sadly, that didn’t happen, and with Doc Rivers in the City of Brotherly Love, players that were once deemed as the face of the franchise may be on the move. To couple with that, Embiid is coming off a down season. His 2018-2019 campaign was significantly better than his 2019-2020 one.

His numbers virtually across the board were still that of a star, but they weren’t that one a player worthy of multiple high-value assets, potentially helping the Warriors cause.

Throughout the Dubs dynasty, they’ve yet to have a dominating center. DeMarcus Cousins for a few stints while he wasn’t injured was the closest thing or maybe an older Andrew Bogut.

Snagging Embiid for a relatively low cost would be a smart move, but mortgaging the future for him wouldn’t be.