Joel Embiid admitted publicly that the former MVP guard James Harden no longer speaks to him following Harden’s turbulent exit from Philadelphia. In a candid interview, 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 highly.

Embiid and Harden were heralded as one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos during their season-and-a-half as co-stars with the 76ers, combining for historic numbers—Embiid capturing the 2022-23 scoring title and Harden leading the league in assists. Their on-court pick-and-roll was lethal, and expectations soared as they pushed Philadelphia toward championship contention.

But following repeated playoff heartbreaks and a public dispute between Harden and Sixers president Daryl Morey, the partnership unraveled.

Harden forced his way out amid accusations of betrayal by the front office, ultimately landing with the Clippers. As the franchise tried to regroup, the personal damage endured.

Embiid: “It Hurts When You Feel Like You Haven’t Done Anything Wrong”

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

“No one knows this, but even James [Harden] is not talking to me. That’s the part I don’t like about being ‘that guy,’ because it puts you in the middle of those situations. Because if you ask James, he probably believes 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 assists title. We had a pick-and-roll that was unstoppable’… It hurts when you feel like you haven’t done anything wrong. When you think you have a relationship like that with somebody… you lose a lot,” Embiid added. 

Embiid strongly emphasized he did not pressure the front office to move Harden, telling the organization he never wants to shoulder responsibility for teammate trades or staff changes. However, he acknowledged the persistent perception around NBA superstars—that even passive approval can shape franchise decisions.

A Relationship Beyond Repair?

While Embiid has called for clarity and emotional honesty behind the scenes, he finds himself increasingly isolated—a reality for many modern superstars thrust into the spotlight of high-stakes roster moves.

The dissolution of his relationship with Harden, once rooted in trust and mutual respect, underscores the cold realities of NBA business and the sometimes-painful side effects of being a franchise centerpiece.

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 wrestles with the uncertainty and loneliness that can come when friendships and professional allegiances collide in the NBA’s unforgiving landscape.