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Trading for this 7× NBA All-Star would be the Mavericks' second-worst move in three years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Mavericks are trying to recover from one of the worst trades in NBA history. Two years ago, they traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, who struggled with injuries and played just 29 games before Dallas traded him to the Washington Wizards at the 2026 trade deadline. Now, another risky trade rumor has emerged while the franchise tries to rebuild entirely around Cooper Flagg.
Per a June 9 report from FortyEightMinutes, the Mavericks have emerged as a potential trade destination for Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid if new GM Mike Gansey decides to move on from the former MVP. One front office member actually suggested Dallas' name, noting that the Mavericks' new ownership is uniquely willing to use league insurance to cover the cost of injured players.
Embiid is a terrible idea given his injury history, but his resume was never the question. He is a legitimate franchise centerpiece -- a seven-time All-Star, the 2023 MVP, and a two-time scoring champion. However, when it comes to his health, he is no different than Davis.
The star center played just 38 games this past season, hampered by left knee issues, an oblique strain and an April appendectomy that ended his regular season. Over the past two seasons combined, he has averaged roughly 28 games per year. That is almost identical to the lack of availability that made Davis such an expensive mistake in Dallas.
Pairing Embiid's massive salary with Cooper Flagg would likely bring the Mavericks more pain. Embiid signed a three-year, $192.9 million extension in Sept. 2024. His salary will hit roughly $59.5 million for the 2026–27 season and escalate from there, concluding with a player option for 2028–29.
The irony? There is no guarantee he will even cross the 40-game mark next season. If the Mavericks' front office seriously considers bringing him to Dallas, they will face immediate backlash from a frustrated fanbase.
This hypothetical trade framework would cost Dallas Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, multiple first-round picks and essentially mortgaging the draft capital they just recovered from trading away Davis.
About this comical trade idea, Mavs Moneyball's own analyst noted, "You might give readers Anthony Davis PTSD with this trade proposal, given Embiid's injury history. Embiid is averaging 32 games played per season over the past three years — about as many games as Davis accumulated in a Mavs uniform."
Dallas drafted the 19-year-old to rebuild the franchise the right way. They are still trying to figure out the roster for next season because everyone underperformed except Flagg. So, trading for Embiid is absolutely not the answer. If management pulls the trigger on this deal, it will easily become their second-worst decision in the last three years.
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