It's already a busy offseason for the new-look Dallas Mavericks. Team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz are here, and Jason Kidd isn't. There's nothing but all gas and no brakes in the Cooper Flagg era, but there's one ridiculous idea that would ultimately crash everything.
NBA Central on 'X' is a social media account known for aggregating news. They post real stats and facts, but they took a rumor with no credibility and just ran with it. Earlier this week, they linked Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid as a potential trade suitor to the Mavericks.
Terrible idea considering Embiid's history and the effort he lacks at times. Embiid has played only 96 regular-season and playoff games over the past three seasons and has injured his knee countless times. Ever hear that one before? Without the basketball gods gifting Flagg to Dallas, the organization would've been toast, but Flagg is here now, and a trade for Embiid would only hurt them way more than help.
A Joel Embiid trade would destroy the future of the Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs cleaned house with Kidd and former co-general manager Matt Riccardi to clean up any residue involved in the Luka Doncic trade. Former general manager Nico Harrison, the mastermind in the trade, was fired early in the season.
The Mavs got the best return they could've in trading Davis to the Washington Wizards. Khris Middleton, who came to Dallas in the Anthony Davis trade, is currently an unrestricted free agent, but has proven to be the perfect veteran with championship experience to help Flagg get to his next level.
It was a lot to get rid of to undo the worst trade in sports history, and an Embiid trade would feel like Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont never learned his lesson. Hopefully, cleaning house with the previous group means he has, but Mavericks fans can never be too sure anymore. But perhaps the biggest reason why Dallas needs to stay far away from Embiid is because of financial woes.
Embiid will start his three-year, $187 million extension next season, and Dallas would pay him over $60 million a season. An injury-prone player with that contract? Absolutely not. The Wizards have a similar financial pickle with Davis. Believe us, Wizards fans, we know, and we get it.
Shaquille O'Neal, one of the best players of all time, has a history of roasting Embiid for not using force. There are times when he searches too hard to draw a foul and doesn't put a body on his defenders in the post. Of course, O'Neal's analysis on TNT/ESPN is only part of why Mavs fans shouldn't welcome him, but his effort has been in question for the past few years.
It's important to remind fans that Embiid won MVP in 2023, but various injuries to Embiid have almost forced Tyrese Maxey to be the star of the Sixers. The Mavericks need to stay far away from this idea, but thankfully, it's only an ugly rumor that won't get far.
The Flagg era is starting, and while a veteran MVP would look nice on paper, Embiid is far from what the Mavericks need right now.
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