The Philadelphia 76ers may have passed their championship window. Or at least that’s what former NBA star Gilbert Arenas thinks. Even though the Sixers added Paul George this offseason to form a big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, their performance has been miserable to begin the season. Standing at just 3-14, Arenas feels that the Sixers messed up their championship window – more than half a decade ago.
The Sixers are one of the most valued franchises in sports, with a team evaluation of almost $4.6 billion. However, Gilbert Arenas feels that the team messed up by forgoing a chance to create a championship core resembling the duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Joel Embiid is certainly dominant, much like Shaq, but the 76ers giving up Jimmy Butler may have been a major screw-up, according to Arenas.
I personally think that Philly is probably a year too late from trading (Embiid)… When they lost Jimmy Butler… they didn’t see the value of him, and we can see what he did with mediocre basketball players. What he could have been here – it’s basically the Kobe to Shaq.
Gilbert Arenas said on his podcast
It’s too late for the 76ers to trade Embiid 📉 pic.twitter.com/abr5HOTPzW
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) November 27, 2024
The closest the Sixers have reached to the Eastern Conference Finals was alongside the trio of Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons. The team reached the second round, where they lost a heartbreaking game 7 to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors. However, the team decided to forego bringing Butler back due to salary cap reasons.
Arenas also stated that the duo of Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid had the potential to form a championship pairing such as that of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. However, losing Butler may have closed the Sixers’ championship window.
Gilbert Arenas suggests potential trade for Joel Embiid
The saga of Joel Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers may be nearing an end. Tensions have been high in the Sixers camp following recent locker room disputes. Furthermore, the wind may have changed in Philly regarding fans’ feelings towards ‘The Process.’ All signs point to Embiid and the Sixers parting ways if the team continues to remain without his presence on the court.
In the event that Embiid is traded, Gilbert Arenas believes that he knows the perfect trade destination for the former MVP. Co-incidentally, his proposed modern-day Kobe and Shaq reunion may still be on the cards, as Arenas feels that the Miami Heat may be potential trade partners for Joel Embiid should he be available for trade.
Gilbert Arenas says MIA is the only place Embiid can go to fix his habits
“He needs somewhere they don’t give af about your name. At this point you can only go to Pat Riley to restart who you’re gonna be. Go there 2/3 years then you can leave”
Would yall want Embiid on Heat? 🤔… pic.twitter.com/Tz8eUeWv4y
— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) November 20, 2024
He needs somewhere they don’t give af about your name. At this point you can only go to Pat Riley to restart who you’re gonna be. Go there 2/3 years then you can leave.
Gilbert Arenas recently said on his podcast
In Arenas’ eyes, the Miami Heat are the perfect trade destination for Joel Embiid. The criticism surrounding the superstar has often concerned his worth ethic, or lack so of. The Heat, known for their discipline, would be the perfect destination to reinstil discipline within Embiid while creating the superstar pairing alongside Butler.
