When it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers, they know they need Joel Embiid healthy and available in order to reach their full potential. Unfortunately, Embiid’s body hasn’t been able to make a full playoff push in years.
Former Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce is over the Sixers trying to make it work with the superstar big man. On a recent episode of Ticket & The Truth, Pierce finished his “fresh air” segment, suggesting it was time for Embiid to “go out West.”
âItâs time to rebuild in Philly,” Pierce said. “Itâs time to build around [Tyrese] Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, you know what Iâm saying? Itâs time for the Big Fella to move out West. He needs some sunshine on that knee.”
The legendary forward Kevin Garnett chimed in by suggesting the idea of pairing Embiid and Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors would be a move he would like to see come to life.
Kevin Garnett Wants Joel Embiid On The Warriors
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Chase Center on January 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
âYou know what I would like? If he could end up with [Steph Curry] somehow,” Garnett said. “Can that happen? Can he end up in Golden State? Golden State donât have no assets to be able to do some s*** like that.â
The Warriors have been star-hunting for quite some time. During the 2024-2025 NBA season, they acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.
Golden State’s front office spent the 2025-2026 season looking for a way to land Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Nobody won the Giannis sweepstakes, but the Warriors are expected to continue trying.
If the Warriors strike out on the front-court superstar again, maybe they could make a Hail Mary attempt to land Embiid while he can still put up big numbers while healthy. However, the contract is hard to stomach.
When the 2025-2026 NBA season concludes, Embiid’s four-year, $213.2 million contract expires. Then, a three-year extension kicks in. Embiid is owed $187.8 million through 2029. The third year (2028-2029) is a $67.2 million player option.
Skills-wise, Embiid remains a top-tier player. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in 2025-2026. But setbacks are concerning. Embiid will finish the regular season with just 38 games played. He hasn’t crossed 40 games since 2022-2023.
Even Without The Warriors–Paul Pierce Is Finished
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid guards Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
Landing Embiid would be a long shot for the Warriors. Not only do they have their attention on other players, but the Sixers haven’t shown any level of interest in moving on from their star big man.
Kevin Garnett likes the hypothetical, but he prefers that the Sixers just finish what was started at this point.
âHeâs been there forever, bro,â Garnett continued. âYou donât wanna keep it going? Go one more time, man, itâs been a decade!” said Garnett.
âIâm done trusting the process,â Pierce responded. â10 years trying to trust the process. Trust the process is over.â
Embiid and the Sixers were one of the Eastern Conference’s biggest threats since 2017-2018. But as Embiid’s setbacks piled up, they started to lose steam. Two years ago, they had to crack the playoffs through the Play-In for the first time. Last year, they missed the playoffs altogether.
In 2025-2026, the Sixers have a shot at the sixth seed heading into the final game, but their odds of making the Play-In are higher, as Embiid sits out following surgery.
Anything can happen in the postseason, but the Sixers seemed primed for another disappointment in 2026. Paul Pierce prefers that the team make some major changes.
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