The Golden State Warriors are entering a critical offseason with one clear objective: adding an All-Star caliber player to bolster their roster around Stephen Curry and push for another deep postseason run. While marquee targets like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard remain dream scenarios, acquiring either would demand a steep cost in future draft picks and young talent. A bold new proposal, however, suggests the Warriors could land former MVP Joel Embiid without surrendering any picks or core young pieces — a realistic trade that positions the two-time scoring champion as potentially their highest-upside option.
According to a scenario pitched by Fadeaway World, the Warriors would receive Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis via sign-and-trade. On paper, it represents a significant steal for Golden State. Yet the modest return reflects the primary concern surrounding Embiid: his troubling injury history. In the 2025-26 season, the 7-foot center was limited to just 38 games due to recurring setbacks, a continuation of the health issues that have shadowed his otherwise dominant career.
This health uncertainty makes Embiid a massive risk, but it also creates a rare opportunity for the Warriors to acquire a superstar at a discounted price. The deal would see Porzingis agree to a sign-and-trade to join Philadelphia, while Golden State parts ways with Draymond Green, the emotional leader who has spent his entire 14-year NBA career with the franchise. Losing Green would mark the end of an era, but it could open the door for a new powerhouse trio.
Why Golden State Should Entertain the Joel Embiid Trade
Embiid’s availability at this price point offers Golden State something the Antetokounmpo and Leonard pursuits do not: financial and asset flexibility. Both alternative targets carry their own recent health concerns and would require the Warriors to mortgage significant future draft capital or part with promising young players. By contrast, the Embiid package allows the Dubs to preserve their future while rolling the dice on immediate contention.
If healthy, a lineup featuring Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Joel Embiid would form a formidable “Big Three” capable of challenging any team in the Western Conference. The Warriors could commit to an aggressive one-to-two-season window, betting on Embiid’s elite talent to elevate the roster. Should the partnership fail to yield the desired results, Golden State could look to move him the following summer. With his contract entering a more manageable phase after a full season, attaching a future first-round pick (which the Warriors would retain in this deal) could make Embiid an attractive target for other contenders.
Why Golden State Likely Will Avoid the Embiid Gamble
Despite the appeal, the risks are substantial. Embiid is owed an average of $62 million per year over the next three seasons, creating a hefty financial commitment that would limit Golden State’s ability to add complementary pieces around him. The move would essentially force the Warriors to bet heavily on Embiid as their primary upgrade.
Front office decision-makers may also hesitate given the team’s recent experiences with older, injury-prone veterans. Last season reinforced the dangers of relying on inconsistent availability from such players. Many within the organization likely view Antetokounmpo as the premier target, even if it means parting with future assets, due to his relative durability and reliability compared to Embiid.
Ultimately, the proposed trade presents a classic high-risk, high-reward dilemma for the Warriors. It offers a path to immediate contention without destroying long-term flexibility, yet it demands placing significant faith in a player whose body has repeatedly let him down at critical moments. As the offseason unfolds, Golden State must weigh whether the potential of a fully healthy Joel Embiid justifies the gamble — or if a safer, more expensive pursuit better aligns with their championship aspirations.