'I was hurt' - Joel Embiid affected by end of Harden friendship

In a candid interview, Joel Embiid admitted that former MVP James Harden is no longer speaking to him following his turbulent departure from Philadelphia. Embiid insisted he played no part in Harden's trade to the Los Angeles Clippers and described the pain of losing a friendship he once valued deeply.

Embiid and Harden were considered one of the NBA's most dynamic duos during their time together with the 76ers, putting up historic numbers. Embiid won the scoring title in the 2022-23 season, while Harden led the league in assists. Their pick-and-roll was lethal, and expectations soared as they led Philadelphia toward championship contention.

However, after repeated playoff disappointments and a public dispute between Harden and Sixers president Daryl Morey, their partnership dissolved.

Harden forced his way out amid accusations of betrayal from the front office, eventually landing with the Clippers. As the team tried to regroup, the personal damage lingered.

Speaking to ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, Embiid opened up about the bitterness of the separation, stating:

"Nobody knows this, but James [Harden] isn't talking to me. That's the part I don't like about being "that guy," because it puts you in the middle of these situations. Because if you ask James, he'll probably think that I had something to do with him not being here," he said.

"And I'm just like, 'I won the scoring title. You won the assist title. We had a pick-and-roll that was unstoppable.'... It hurts when you feel like you didn't do anything wrong. When you feel like you had that kind of relationship with somebody... you lose a lot," Embiid added.

Embiid vehemently emphasized that he did not pressure management to move Harden, telling the team he never wants to shoulder the responsibility for trading teammates or personnel changes. However, he acknowledged the persistent perception surrounding NBA superstars – that even passive approval can shape team decisions.

While Embiid has sought clarity and emotional honesty behind the scenes, he finds himself increasingly isolated – a reality for many modern superstars at the center of high-stakes transactions.

The breakdown of his relationship with Harden, once built on trust and mutual respect, underscores the harsh reality of the NBA and the sometimes painful side effects of being a franchise player.

For Embiid, the loss is both strategic and personal. Not only has Philadelphia failed to reach the same competitive heights since Harden's departure, but Embiid now grapples with the uncertainty and loneliness that can arise when friendships and professional alliances collide in the relentless landscape of the NBA.