After a disastrous first half against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins called on the Philadelphia 76ers to get rid of stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Philadelphia was non-competitive in the first two quarters against Detroit, falling behind 78-49. The 78 points were the most the Pistons scored in a first half since 1982.
During the halftime show, Perkins made it known that in his opinion, Embiid and George should not be part of Philadelphia’s future plans.
“Well, look. Trade them both,” Perkins said.
When it was pointed out that the NBA Trade Deadline had passed the day earlier, Perkins clarified that he meant in the offseason.
“We’ve been talking about where Kevin Durant is gonna go this offseason with the Phoenix Suns,” Perkins said. “Same thing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid and Paul George are both in Tyrese Maxey’s way. Right? And at the end of the day, these habits that Joel Embiid — he’s been having bad habits and it’s starting to show out even more. Like, when you’re injured, when you’re trying to play through injury, you gotta go the extra mile, right? Outside of the lines. And it’s showing. It always shows in your effort and it’s not there tonight. This is the playoffs for the Philadelphia 76ers.”
Kendrick Perkins on Joel Embiid and Paul George:
“Trade them both.”
“We’ve been talking about where Kevin Durant is gonna go this offseason with the Phoenix Suns. Same with with the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid and Paul George and both in Tyrese Maxey’s way.” pic.twitter.com/J6bcgSkXGG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 8, 2025
Perkins’ co-hosts, Brian Windhorst and Udonis Haslem were similarly critical.
“That’s one of the worst halves of basketball I’ve ever seen Joel Embiid play,” Windhorst said bluntly.
“I can’t trust the process no more,” Haslem said. “This is what I’m saying. You’ve been out. Me and Perk just said, every single game is playoff intensity, playoff mindset. You’re 10 games under .500, trying to make a push. You have your big three back now. You were 1-for-9, four rebounds and -25.”
That followed a first half where the Pistons scored 78 points and led the 76ers 78-49.
Brian Windhorst: “It’s one of the first halves of basketball I’ve ever seen Joel Embiid play.”
Udonis Haslem: “I can’t trust the process no more.” pic.twitter.com/5e4dWnOIVG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 8, 2025
He continued.
This is not an indictment on Joel Embiid — this is not personal. This is somebody who’s a champion and wants to see you become a champion before you’re a champion. That’s unacceptable. That is not a leader and this is not how you lead your team.”
