Personally, I think the chances are high. The return that Morey got for Harden is not enough to remain a championship contender. They could get another player with the draft picks, but it won’t be a player that gives the Sixers a chance to compete for a championship. Zach Lavine, Brandon Ingram, Fred Vanvleet, etc. are not enough.
I think Embiid realizes that the Sixers won’t have enough and he will formally send a trade request in the next few days. As an aging MVP, Embiid isn’t going to want to wait around for the Sixers to reload over the next couple years. He will want to go to a contender that gives him an immediate chance to win.
Meanwhile, Maxey will be the exciting tank commander for a few years while the Sixers reload. Hopefully, the Process 2 works this time for Philly.
As for Morey, his time in NBA front offices is likely coming to an end after the lackluster return he got for Harden. The Rockets’ James Harden trade made him a top league executive and this James Harden trade will likely end his time at the top. Harden got what he wanted; Morey’s luster is gone. After he is forced to trade Embiid, Morey is going to be torn apart for the way he managed the Sixers the last few years.
Harden lost over $100M because Morey lied to him, and all NBA players saw that happen in real time. Morey is cooked, cursed and no team with him as GM will ever sniff an NBA title. Fire him now.
Embiid will likely ride this out with the Sixers for this season, and they will be a decently good team, although another 1st or 2nd round playoff exit. Embiid won his precious MVP last season, so he’s probably happy to coast through this season, lose again early in the playoffs and then re-access in the off-season after seeing what “magic” Morey can pull off with $80M in capspace…
Hate to say it, but Embiid definitely has the “me-first loser” stench on him from all his whining about the MVP and his extremely poor play in the playoffs as well as the fact that he’s never made it out of the 2nd round (and won’t again this year).
Will 2025 finally be the redemption year for Embiid?
How much of the $125M that Morey’s lies cost Harden will Harden recoup on his next contract with Clippers?
These are the vital questions that only the future can answer…