Joel Embiid trade rumors swirl as Bill Simmons predicts Sixers move

NBA analyst Bill Simmons dropped a bombshell this week: Joel Embiid could be on the move from the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

On July 9, Simmons said on his show that he believes Embiid is available and that the Sixers are open to trading him. The prediction comes just weeks after Philadelphia swung a blockbuster deal to land Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.

What did Bill Simmons say?

Simmons argued that the Sixers have barely mentioned building around Embiid since the Brown trade. He pointed to the team’s silence on Embiid as a sign they’re ready to move on.

“They’re going to trade Joel Embiid, and I think they want to,” Simmons said. “He’s available. Teams think he’s available.”

Is Embiid actually on the block?

For now, Embiid isn’t officially on the trade market. Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey spoke twice this month about the team’s future, praising Embiid’s excitement over the Brown acquisition.

“He’s going to bring championship habits and toughness to us,” Gansey said. “It’s like music to my ears talking to him.”

Why the trade talk now?

Embiid’s injury history looms large. He suited up for just 38 games in 2025-26, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. In the playoffs, he dropped 24.0 points per game but played through pain in the second round.

His contract also complicates matters. Embiid has three years left on a deal worth $187.8 million, including a $57.9 million salary in 2027-28.

What happens next?

The Sixers haven’t given any indication they’re trading Embiid. But with Brown now in the fold, the roster’s future looks fluid.

For now, Embiid remains a Sixer. But if the rumors grow louder, the NBA’s summer could get even hotter.