NBA Trade Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers Urged to Pursue $60 Million Chicago Bulls Star to Preserve Joel Embiid’s Longevity

As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers face a familiar concern: keeping Joel Embiid healthy and dominant throughout a long campaign. With Embiid’s injury history casting a shadow over the team’s playoff hopes, analysts believe the front office must prioritize reducing his workload - starting with a reliable backup center.

One compelling name being floated: Nikola Vucevic.

A Familiar Issue: Embiid’s Health Could Define the Season

Joel Embiid is unquestionably one of the league’s most dominant forces when he’s on the floor. The reigning MVP has built a resume of regular-season brilliance, but his postseason consistency has often been undercut by injuries. The Sixers’ championship window depends on finding ways to keep Embiid fresh and available deep into the playoffs.

Why Nikola Vucevic Makes Sense for the Philadelphia 76ers

The idea of acquiring Nikola Vucevic emerged following speculation that the Chicago Bulls could pursue a contract buyout. If that happens, Vucevic could become a key depth piece in the Philadelphia 76ers, giving Embiid a legitimate break without tanking the team’s interior presence.In a recent FanSided article, Nicolas Kyle Pring outlined the potential impact of such a move: “Having said that, Vucevic would be a dream short-term acquisition for a team like the 76ers, which will not need him to do the heavy lifting as he did in Chicago. The Philadelphia 76ers desperately need to ease the load on Embiid, and installing Vucevic as his backup would heavily incentivize the coaching staff into reducing the former’s minutes and workload as much as possible,” Pring wrote.

What Nikola Vucevic Brings to the Table

While Nikola Vucevic may not match Embiid’s scoring explosiveness, he offers a versatile skill set that could prove invaluable for a second unit.

Vucevic’s Key Strengths:

• Reliable 3-point shooter: Stretches the floor and creates spacing for guards • Solid interior scorer: Effective in the paint with footwork and touch • Experienced veteran: Brings maturity and poise to the locker room • Rebounding presence: Capable of holding his own against other bigs

Career Snapshot

With those numbers, Vucevic could be the best backup Embiid has had in his career - capable of anchoring the second unit and even starting in stretches if needed.

Addressing a Long-Standing Need

The Sixers have long struggled to find dependable bench depth at center. From DeAndre Jordan to Paul Reed, the rotation behind Embiid has fluctuated in quality and consistency. Vucevic would not only bring production but also alleviate pressure on the coaching staff to ride Embiid hard during the regular season.

My Verdict on the Trade: A Deal the Sixers Can’t Afford to Miss?

While it remains to be seen whether the Bulls will indeed buy out Vucevic, the Sixers would be wise to monitor the situation closely. The long-term viability of their championship hopes rests on Embiid’s availability, and adding a player like Vucevic could be the strategic insurance policy they desperately need.