As the Los Angeles Lakers enter offseason mode, trade speculation is beginning to heat up—and one of the most attention-grabbing proposals so far has come from Bill Simmons, who floated a bold idea involving 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
Bill Simmons Sends Joel Embiid To the Los Angeles Lakers
During Monday’s episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons proposed a hypothetical trade sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Embiid.
“And we’ll get you out of the Joel Embiid business,” Simmons remarked while unveiling the idea.
What makes the proposal particularly eye-catching is that it doesn’t involve Lakers guard Austin Reaves. Reaves is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged a career-best 20.2 points per game. Still on a team-friendly deal, Reaves carries a $13.9 million cap hit and holds a player option for the 2026–27 season.
With the Lakers facing critical roster decisions after another early playoff exit, speculation around acquiring a superstar like Embiid is sure to generate buzz. Embiid, however, remains a polarizing trade target. Now in his 30s, the seven-time All-Star played in just 19 games this past season due to ongoing injury issues. Despite his undeniable talent, Embiid has never played in more than 68 games in a season and has yet to lead the 76ers beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Philadelphia’s recent performance hasn’t helped matters. The Sixers just wrapped up a disappointing 24–58 campaign, adding more weight to the question: Could this be the offseason Embiid finally moves on?
NBA insider Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Embiid has been in contact with fellow stars Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. George revealed that the trio has already discussed meeting up this summer, highlighting a desire to build chemistry beyond text messages.
“I think that’s very important,” George told Pompey. “We’ve already talked about seeing each other, where we’re going to be this summer. So we’ve already had those conversations about connecting once the season’s over.” He added, “I don’t think it’s healthy to go two, three months before seeing each other, regardless of if we’re checking in over the phone. It’s just different seeing each other.”
For now, the Embiid trade rumors remain just that—rumors. But with his health in question and team success stagnant, the idea of a fresh start, even in Los Angeles, may not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.