Within the span of five days, two former NBA MVPs were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns struggled to keep up with the Minnesota Suns in a one-way battle that saw the Suns swept in embarrassing fashion. Joel Embiid, the 2023 league MVP, put up a fight against the New York Knicks, but after struggling to play his best after a knee injury, his Philadelphia 76ers were knocked out in six games.
During a recent episode of the Underground Lounge podcast, Philadelphia native Spank Horton seemed fed up with Embiid’s continuous injury struggles and called for action rom the franchise. Debating with former NBA player Lou Williams, Horton believes that Philadelphia can get several picks and an All-Star if they were to make the right move.
“I said we should trade Embiid,” said Horton. “He hurt every playoffs.”
76ers receive: Kevin Durant and a First-Round pick
Suns receive: Joel Embiid
Who says no?
(🎥 @thereal_ugl / https://t.co/P25YnBzJTl) pic.twitter.com/zyXOlRqBlg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 5, 2024
Trading a player in his peak is not the worst idea in the world, as long as you can get a suitable replacement in place. According to Horton, he has the perfect man to fit that role.
“I’ll take Booker or Durant. But I need a first round pick though,” added the popular podcaster.
The wounds from the playoff series may still be healing for Horton who seemed frustrated. The 76ers have not made the Eastern Conference finals since 2021, but trading an MVP that averaged 34.7 point per game this season seems like a catastrophic move.
