76ers Rumors: Joel Embiid Gave PHI 'Assurances' amid James Harden Trade Demand

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has offered "assurances he is OK riding out the current drama" surrounding James Harden, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Embiid is just starting his four-year, $213.3 million supermax extension, but many have wondered whether his long-term commitment to Philly could waver depending on how Harden's ongoing standoff with the team is resolved.

So far, it doesn't appear the situation has triggered a domino effect.

Shelburne reported dynamic young guard Tyrese Maxey has also affirmed his commitment to the 76ers, and she added his and Embiid's personal relationships with Harden haven't suffered much.

Still, it's fair to wonder whether Embiid's pledge will hold should things go sideways this offseason or later down the road.

Philadelphia's front office is in an almost impossible position.

The team is all but guaranteed to take a step backward by moving Harden now because of how much his trade value has declined. Keeping the 10-time All-Star carries plenty of risk as well, since he could follow the same playbook that led to his exits from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets.

Even if Harden accepts a one-year marriage of convenience and performs well in 2023-24, he'll presumably leave as a free agent next summer. Sure, the Sixers could have a ton of salary cap space—as much as $77 million, per Spotrac—but chasing a marquee free agent or two isn't without a level of peril.

Maybe it all works out for Philadelphia, but one can't escape the feeling the team is headed toward an inevitable breakup with its best player. Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill reported in August there's a sense that president of basketball operations Daryl Morey might that outcome prefer at this point.

"Morey is responsible for only the past few years, but in totality, many around the league believe Embiid will ask out sooner rather than later—and that a full rebuild is what Morey is covertly hoping for," Goodwill wrote.

As long as the status quo with Harden remains, it's hard to see anything with Embiid changing. The intrigue will come if the Sixers successfully find a trade partner for their disgruntled guard.