We know the San Antonio Spurs aren't actually going to trade the 2023 No. 1 overall pick.

But what if a trade offer landed on the desk of Spurs general manager Brian Wright that at least forced the organization to briefly consider it … before saying no?

 

"Process 2.0" in Philly

San Antonio Spurs get: Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers gets: 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Toronto's 2024 first-round pick, Doug McDermott, Devonte' Graham

Let's say the reigning NBA MVP decides to send the next shock wave throughout the league by requesting a trade from Philadelphia this summer. The 76ers couldn't close out a 3-2 lead against the Boston Celtics and failed to get past the second round for the sixth straight season. They are once again looking for a coach, James Harden is a free agent, and maybe Embiid decides he has reached the ceiling in Philadelphia and the Sixers start taking calls on his availability. What about the league MVP for the No. 1 pick? Big for big? Embiid for Wembanyama?

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Both teams would be undergoing pretty drastic pivots in this scenario. For Philly, this would mark the official end of "the process era," but instead of a full rebuild, this "Process 2.0" gets jump-started by another swing at a generational talent at the top of the draft. And San Antonio passes on the chance of a potential great player for a proven dominant center.

It would instantly shift the Spurs into a competitive mindset with Embiid in his prime, cap space and a draft pick haul from last summer's Dejounte Murray trade they could use to build a team around Embiid to compete in the West. In the above trade scenario, San Antonio gets to clear a few more contracts off its books and keep all of its financial flexibility, but there's a version of this deal that could just swap the centers straight up, with maybe an additional pick going to Philadelphia. A move like this would be the antithesis of how the Spurs have historically operated. Without another ready star on the roster, making a move to acquire Embiid, who turns 30 next season and has a long injury history, actually makes San Antonio the team most likely to turn down this deal. But in a world where Embiid is available, the chance at Wembanyama is enough upside to make negotiations intriguing.