Chicago Bulls: 4 early trade targets for new GM Marc Eversley

2. Joel Embiid, Center

If Eversley wanted to go after a trade target from his previous employer, then a great option is the former Kansas Jayhawks star center and seven-footer Joel Embiid.

This three-time NBA All-Star selection, two-time All-NBA honoree, two-time All-Defensive Team selection, and 2016-17 All-Rookie Team selection was having a stellar 2019-20 campaign prior to the COVID-19 induced hiatus. But the tumultuous connection between him and star point guard Ben Simmons is going to continue to cause friction to the public eye.

Embiid and Simmons have yet to mesh well together, as Eversley likely knows quite well. The latter is the one that the Sixers might choose to build around over the long haul if they had to choose between the two. A few months ago, a report from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps mentioned that if either was to be put on the trade block, it would likely be Embiid.

Nonetheless, Embiid would be a highly sought after trade target on the open market. He averaged 23.4 points per game, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 3.1 blocks, while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. He is starting to increase his range and become more effective at distributing the ball to his teammates from the paint.

Just like the case would hold if the Bulls were to nab Gobert from the Jazz, they would have to decide how to prioritize Carter Jr. and Markkanen, if they were to go after Embiid. But the case of landing a true star should still trump more patience with the two young bis.