NBA superstars want to win, plain and simple. 

That's why some of its biggest stars have requested trades in years past.

The Philadelphia 76ers sit third in the eastern conference with a 39-20 record behind the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. But one article published on Sunday suggests that star center Joel Embiid could ask out should the 76ers fail to make a deep postseason run.

"The Sixers must reach the Eastern Conference finals this spring or everything comes crashing down," said Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Haynes. "They’ve never gotten past the second round of the playoffs.

"Embiid, who adopted “The Process” as a nickname — fittingly, too, since, like The Process, he took ages to develop and remains incomplete — will surely force a trade to a franchise that actually understands basketball. He’s never played with a true point guard. It’s a nine-year crime."

Haynes notes Embiid is at the peak of his powers, and the roster around him this season is the strongest since he arrived in Philadelphia in 2014.

Embiid is putting together another MVP-worthy year, averaging 33.1 points and 10.4 rebounds on 53.1 percent shooting from the field. His All-Star teammate James Harden has had a strong season as well, leading the league in assists (10.7)

But playoff results will be what matters most when it comes to Embiid and the 76ers organization.