NBA Scout Predicts Joel Embiid Will 'Get Pissed' over Lack of Touches on New-Look 76ers

Amid an impressive 2-0 start to the season for the Philadelphia 76ers with wins over the two Eastern Conference Finals teams from last season, there are already people in the NBA predicting a potential divide that could develop on the roster.

One scout told ESPN's Tim MacMahon they are expecting Joel Embiid will "get pissed" over his lack of touches in a lineup with high-usage players like Tyrese Maxey, LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.

"I think it's going to be a problem, and that could railroad them," the scout said. "I just don't buy it right now. He's going to want the ball more. He's going to get pissed. He's going to stop playing defense. He's going to stop running."

This has been an ongoing source of speculation since the Sixers added James and Brown to the mix in the offseason. All four of their primary stars need to touch the ball to maximize their offensive impact.

The results through two games suggest Maxey is going to be their primary offensive engine. He leads the team with 30.0 points and 21 field-goal attempts per game.

Embiid has attempted 31 field goals through two games. His current rate of 15.5 shot attempts per contest would be his lowest since he was a rookie in 2016-17 (13.8).

The seven-time All-Star did point out that everyone was able to get their touches and good looks at the basket during Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers:

"We all played at a high level. Everybody had their moment. 'Rese had his moments. JB had his moments. Bron had his moments. I had my moments. Going back to the question about sacrifice, when I said that it's not necessary, I don't like that word, it's just we have a bunch of talented guys, so, 'Tyrese, just go ahead and do your thing.' 'Me, do my thing.' 'JB, do your thing.' And we just play off of that and we just trust each other and make the right plays over and over to put ourselves in a position to succeed."

Embiid has dismissed the notion that anyone on the Sixers has to sacrifice from their game. Instead, he describes it as "you do what you do best" and everyone will succeed.

"I'm against the concept of sacrificing," Embiid said on Oct. 16. "I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we're going to support you. ... I don't think anybody has to take a back seat."

Thursday was a great example of what this four-man unit can do even when they aren't operating at the peak of their powers. Philadelphia trailed by as many as 29 points before outscoring Cleveland 69-37 in the second half to secure a 114-106 victory.

There might come a point when things aren't going well for the 76ers and the front office looks to make a move that could improve their play, but nothing they have shown so far suggests anyone will have a problem fitting in.

Embiid is always a wild card because of his injury history. He's also a potentially difficult trade candidate with a $62.6 million salary next season and a $67.3 million player option for 2028-29 on his current contract.

Until there is any indication this Sixers group isn't going to work together, everyone should just enjoy the early-season magic they are creating right now.