
Joel Embiid appears to have activated full Troel Embiid mode once again.
On Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers traded star guard CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans in a big move. The deal came just days after the team traded another top player, Norman Powell, to the LA Clippers.
Shortly after news of the trade broke, the Philadelphia 76ers center Embiid sent a cryptic tweet that read, “Time To Run.”

Time To Run
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 8, 2022
Many speculated that Embiid was referring to Damian Lillard, who is now apparently stuck in a rebuild in Portland (despite the Blazers’ reported plan to somehow reshape the roster aroud Lillard).
For one, Lillard has used the “run” language before, once taking a shot at an NBA rival for “running from the grind.” Even more notably, Lillard has been linked to Embiid’s 76ers in recent months as a potential trade target.
Granted, Embiid did send a couple of similarly confusing tweets afterwards, potentially to cover his tracks.
Time To Ratio
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 8, 2022
Time To Counter
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 8, 2022
We know that the five-time All-Star Embiid loves causing a ruckus during trade rumor season. With his “Time To Run” tweet here, he appears to have done just that once again.
Photo: Nov 27, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) warms up before action against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports