It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers need to add to their roster this offseason in order to have a real shot at winning the NBA championship next season. The consensus opinion is that they need a starting-level center and better guard or wing depth in order to be able to claim their 18th Larry O’Brien Trophy next June.
But there are some Lakers fans who are dreaming of the team making another humongous move to land a third true star or superstar and assemble a superteam. Writer and podcaster Bill Simmons suggested one on his podcast that would give the Lakers Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion.
“Alright, so that’s my favorite Lakers move.” Simmons said. “All their expiring (contracts) and two first-round picks. And they (Lakers) get Embiid… (Austin) Reaves isn’t in it.”
Bill Simmons proposes a trade sending Joel Embiid to the Lakers for two first-round picks and expiring contracts, without including Austin Reaves 👀
(h/t @LADEig )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 5, 2025
There is no doubt that, when he’s healthy, Embiid is one of the game’s most dominant centers. But staying healthy has been his one big weakness. He has a long history of knee problems, and he was only able to play in a measly 19 games this season after appearing in 39 the previous season.
At age 31, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar won’t be getting any healthier or more durable moving forward, which means it would be a stupid move for the Lakers to give up their finite trade assets for him.
Simmons is a well-known Boston Celtics homer and Lakers hater, so it is very possible he likes this trade because it would hurt the Lakers. In fact, he seemed to tip his hand during the same episode of his podcast.
“We don’t know if Embiid’s ever playing again. And I’m like, ‘I’ll have Embiid. You can have one of our first-round picks. And here’s a bunch of expirings.'”
If any Lakers fans think swinging a deal for Embiid would put the team over the top, it is worth remembering how much criticism he has gotten over the years for being fat and out of shape — the exact same criticism a certain superstar the Lakers landed just three months ago has gotten.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Podcaster suggests risky trade that would give Lakers third superstar
It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers need to add to their roster this offseason in order to have a real shot at winning the NBA championship next season. The consensus opinion is that they need a starting-level center and better guard or wing depth in order to be able to claim their 18th Larry O’Brien Trophy next June.
But there are some Lakers fans who are dreaming of the team making another humongous move to land a third true star or superstar and assemble a superteam. Writer and podcaster Bill Simmons suggested one on his podcast that would give the Lakers Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion.
“Alright, so that’s my favorite Lakers move.” Simmons said. “All their expiring (contracts) and two first-round picks. And they (Lakers) get Embiid… (Austin) Reaves isn’t in it.”
Bill Simmons proposes a trade sending Joel Embiid to the Lakers for two first-round picks and expiring contracts, without including Austin Reaves 👀
(h/t @LADEig )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 5, 2025
There is no doubt that, when he’s healthy, Embiid is one of the game’s most dominant centers. But staying healthy has been his one big weakness. He has a long history of knee problems, and he was only able to play in a measly 19 games this season after appearing in 39 the previous season.
At age 31, the Philadelphia 76ers superstar won’t be getting any healthier or more durable moving forward, which means it would be a stupid move for the Lakers to give up their finite trade assets for him.
Simmons is a well-known Boston Celtics homer and Lakers hater, so it is very possible he likes this trade because it would hurt the Lakers. In fact, he seemed to tip his hand during the same episode of his podcast.
“We don’t know if Embiid’s ever playing again. And I’m like, ‘I’ll have Embiid. You can have one of our first-round picks. And here’s a bunch of expirings.'”
If any Lakers fans think swinging a deal for Embiid would put the team over the top, it is worth remembering how much criticism he has gotten over the years for being fat and out of shape — the exact same criticism a certain superstar the Lakers landed just three months ago has gotten.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Podcaster suggests risky trade that would give Lakers third superstar
