Joel Embiid to the New Orleans Pelicans? Not as Crazy as it Sounds
Why the New Orleans Pelicans shouldn’t trade for Embiid
On paper the idea of pairing Zion with Embiid seems like a no-brainer.
But there are some very good reasons that the New Orleans Pelicans should think twice before making such a move.
Injuries
After missing his first two seasons due to an injured foot, Embiid played 31, 63, 64 and 44 games in the next four seasons. Including this shortened season, Embiid has played in 202 of 475 games, or 42.5 percent.
If the old cliché about availability being the best ability is true, then Embiid is not the guy.
Couple this with the fact that Zion already missed a significant number of games in his first season, and you have a recipe for disaster.
Embiid has been amazing when he’s played, averaging 24.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for his career. Those numbers put him in rare space statistically, but it doesn’t matter if he’s not on the floor.
Team Chemistry
The 76ers tanked for seven straight years to get the team they currently have, which has two superstars in Simmons and Embiid.
They finally got the stars they wanted and Philly was a trendy pick to make the Finals this year. All of their “genius” and patience was finally going to pay off! The Process worked!
Did it? The 76ers were the sixth seed in the East before the hiatus. That’s the Eastern Conference of the NBA, where there are more bad teams than good and being four games under .500 gets you the seventh seed.
The “Can Simmons and Embiid Co-Exist” articles were already being written and it’s safe to say the Philly fans were not happy with the sixth seed in the lousy East.
If things were going well in Philly, I wouldn’t be writing this.
The New Orleans Pelicans were also disappointed with their season after starting 6-22, but had turned it on since. The Pelicans were right on the heels of Memphis and had the season played out, had a good chance to catch them and make the playoffs.
They are young, they are fun and seem to enjoy playing with each other. Zion, Ingram and Lonzo Ball have a chance to be the “Big Three” in New Orleans, and so far, the results are exciting.
Why break this up? I wrote recently that New Orleans cannot do the same things with Zion that Cleveland did with LeBron James, which was to constantly submarine any chance LeBron had to play and develop chemistry with guys his own age.
The Pelicans can't make the same mistakes as the Cavaliers. light. Related Story
Embiid is hardly an old man, but he has an old man’s knees and would represent the exact type of “trade youth and potential for a chance to win-now” move that I warned against.
Given time the New Orleans Pelicans could develop something special with the guys they already have and there is a strong argument against rocking the boat.
The Cost
If you read the comments under the Greg Swartz article you will see that the Philly fans are not happy with this idea and that is putting it lightly.
Philly fans are never happy to be fair, but they are especially unhappy about the idea of trading Embiid, who they feel is worth far more than Ingram in a trade.
I found this fascinating, as my original reaction was “They think they’re getting Ingram for Embiid? No WAY!”
Yes, Embiid is a transcendent big man, but are we sure he’s actually better than Ingram? Philly fans also think they’re getting a chest of draft picks as well, so the better question is “Is Embiid better than Ingram and multiple first round picks?”
Ingram was averaging 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists before the hiatus, numbers that are likely to get him the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
He has evolved into one of the top scorers in the NBA, with numbers that are eerily similar to a young Kevin Durant.
light. Related Story. Brandon Ingram is playing like a young Kevin Durant
Would you trade a 22-year-old Durant for Embiid? Me either.
Whether Ingram actually makes that next leap to superstardom is anyone’s guess, but he plays a more important position in the modern NBA.
Embiid is the better player now, but he is three years older, has a troubling injury history and can’t seem to develop chemistry with a very good Philly team.
Giving up Ingram and potentially multiple draft picks for Embiid would be a big risk for the present and future of the New Orleans Pelicans.
But there are also reasons that they should do it.