Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) and center Joel Embiid (21). Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid breaks silence on James Harden no-showing on Sixers

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 10/19/23

The already ugly James Harden saga has taken a turn for the worse, and there are no signs of improvement on the horizon. Harden, who requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in late June, was a no-show at practice on Wednesday.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the former league MVP has not been present with the team since Sunday, failing to attend a shootaround and missing Monday's preseason win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Harden's sudden absence drew the attention of teammate Joel Embiid, who addressed the situation with reporters after Wednesday's practice.

“I didn't know if anything was going on because he's been here,” Embiid said. “So he wasn't here today, so obviously I think he probably had something important to do or something came up. But you know, guys know what it is."

"Maybe he had something to do."

-Joel Embiid on James Harden's absence at Sixers practice

(via @KyleNeubeck, @PHLY_Sixers) pic.twitter.com/eMyMZfbfE6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2023

Harden opted against entering free agency this offseason, instead choosing to opt in to his $35.6M deal with the Sixers. Harden's decision came with a caveat, a desire to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Despite Los Angeles' continued interest in Harden, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has played hardball with the Clippers, refusing to entertain any offer not including guard Terance Mann. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Mann is considered "untouchable" in trade discussions.

Ultimately, it looks as if Morey will need to bite the bullet for the better of the Sixers team as a whole. Harden has a track record of disruptive exits and, if traded, will mark his fourth team in as many years. While failing to yield a blockbuster return for a player of Harden's status will be tough to swallow, holding on to him will only make things worse at this juncture — and potentially be the final straw for Embiid, who hinted at parting with the organization this offseason.

“I just wanna win a championship. I don't know where that's going to be. Whether it's in Philly or somewhere else. I just want to have a chance. I want to see what it feels like to win that first one. It takes more than 1, 2, 3 guys. Gotta have good people around you” @JoelEmbiid pic.twitter.com/WX2KuZLHf8
— Dru (@dru_star) July 17, 2023