Rich Paul Faces Joel Embiid Trade Question After Predicting LeBron James' Role With the 76ers

LeBron James’ arrival in Philadelphia 76ers has sparked debate over whether Joel Embiid still fits into the Sixers’ long‑term plans. With multiple stars capable of leading the offense, the team’s dynamic will be one of the most scrutinized storylines next season.

On the Game Over show, ESPN analyst Max Kellerman raised the idea of trading Embiid after Rich Paul described James’ potential role. Paul compared James to a Draymond Green‑type facilitator, unlocking versatility for the Sixers.

"I don't think they can keep Embiid," Kellerman said.

"I don't think the team can keep Embiid because he's like a victim of his own excellence," he continued. "In the sense that I don't care how good he's feeling in the offseason and all that."

However, Paul pushed back, insisting that in the postseason, mismatches win games and Embiid is a mismatch for any rival big. He added that staggering minutes among stars is enough to maximize their talents.

Embiid's health has been a recurring concern since he was drafted by the Sixers. He went on to miss his first two seasons and has never reached the 70-game threshold in his career.

Over the last three seasons, he has been limited to only 96 regular-season outings.

When he's on the court, though, he continues to be an effective scorer.

In 2023-24, he averaged 34.7 points per game through 39 games. In 2024-25, he played a career-low 19 games, but still put up 23.8 ppg. Last season, he posted 26.9 ppg through 38 outings.

Despite that production, trading him will still be difficult. Teams will be hesitant to take his contract due to his health concerns.

His extension just kicked in, worth $187,873,836 over the next three seasons. A hefty price to pay for a player who might not even suit up 40 games a year.

What Does LeBron James Contribute At This Stage of His Career?

When Rich Paul said LeBron James can have a Draymond Green-type role with the Sixers, he also likely wasn't thinking about him putting up Draymond Green-like scoring.

Green has not averaged double-figure scoring since the 2017-18 season, but his value shows up elsewhere. The Golden State Warriors veteran is a willing facilitator and rebounder, and is the team's enforcer.

He does plenty of little things on the court that are needed for a team to win, despite not directly contributing points-wise.

James, meanwhile, is both the league’s all‑time leading scorer with 43440 points and one of its best passers. Through 23 seasons, he has averaged 7.2 assists per game, including a league‑best 10.2 in 2019‑20. He currently ranks fourth all‑time with 12,016 assists, closing in on Jason Kidd’s 12,091.

He's also one of the league's smartest players. James often sees plays develop before anyone else, allowing him to yell out adjustments for his team on the fly.

With his playmaking, IQ, and ability to control the pace, he can become the Sixers' center of gravity, directing the stars around him to play smartly and efficiently.