Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

76ers president breaks silence on Joel Embiid's future amid trade rumors

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 7/18/23

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid took the internet by storm recently during an interview with Maverick Carter at the Uninterrupted Sports Film Festival. While speaking with Carter, Embiid seemed open to the idea of playing for another franchise, stating he just wants to win a championship, "whether it's in Philly or anywhere else."

Rumblings of uncertainty about Embiid's future in Philadelphia have since skyrocketed. Yet, Sixers president Daryl Morey remains confident that the reigning MVP is committed to the organization.

"He wants to win it here," Morey told reported on Monday while speaking about Embiid. "He wants to win it for Philly."

"He wants to win it here. He wants to win it for Philly," Morey on Joel Embiid.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) July 18, 2023

If Embiid's No. 1 goal is to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy and the Sixers are adamant he does so in Philadelphia, the team must surround the star big man with the right pieces—something Morey is cognizant of.

"We need to make sure Joel Embiid, one of the best players on earth, has a top running mate," Morey stated.

Embiid's co-star for the past year and a half has been James Harden, who the team is expected to soon part with after the 10-time All-Star requested a trade earlier this summer.

Embiid has made it clear he'd like Harden to return to Philadelphia. However, league executives believe Harden is gunning to start next season as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

"Hopefully his mindset can be changed." -Joel Embiid on James Harden wanting out of Philly

(via @Rachel__Nichols, @shobasketball) pic.twitter.com/CYQ1mapxV7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 10, 2023

With Harden's exit pending, Morey finds himself playing a risky game. Blockbuster NBA trades surrounding disgruntled players rarely yield elite-level returns. Especially when said player is soon to turn 34 years old and has seen his scoring average drop by 13.3 ppg over the past two seasons.

If Morey fails to add multiple championship-caliber pieces to the Sixers roster via a Harden trade, Embiid's tenure in Philadelphia could quickly turn sour.

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