Analyst sends strong message on Boston Celtics chances of landing Joel Embiid

MassLive’s Brian Robb sent a strong message about the chances the Boston Celtics have of landing Joel Embiid in a trade — theorizing that only the franchise’s pillar, Jayson Tatum, would get Philadelphia to consider it.

“An ugly exit to the Celtics in Round 2 could set the stage for that and the Sixers won’t have the cap flexibility to replace anywhere close to his production,” Robb prefaced in an answer to a reader’s question in the latest Celtics Mailbag about landing Embiid or Nikola Jokic before saying, “With that said, Daryl Morey would never trade Embiid to a division rival and Jayson Tatum is the only player that would get the Sixers to consider making that move and that’s something that’s never going to happen from a Boston standpoint.”

James Harden’s contract situation — Harden can opt out of his deal and test free agency this summer — makes Philadelphia a “volatile situation.” MVP candidates don’t tend to stick in such situations.

“The situation in Philly is much more volitatile with James Harden having the ability to walk out the door this offseason,” Robb wrote.

Joel Embiid’s situation shouldn’t have Boston Celtics interested, but other teams should

Embiid being moved in the offseason to kick off the next “Process” in Philadelphia isn’t something that Boston Celtics fans should expect their team to be intertwined with much besides by mock trade enthusiasts whose aim is to break up Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Robb didn’t write off other teams in the Association being involved in the bidding for the 6x All-Star, however.

“Embiid’s long-term future is worth monitoring though for other teams around the league if things finish ugly this year,” Robb wrote.

As for Jokic, Robb doesn’t see a situation where the back-to-back MVP winner leaves the Mile High City anytime soon. “Jokic isn’t asking out anytime soon in my opinion,” Robb wrote.