The James Harden situation and Philadelphia's path forward with Joel Embiid

The situation in Philadelphia has gotten uglier over the past few days. It’s been seven weeks since James Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option and demanded the 76ers trade him. Trade discussions with his preferred team, the Clippers, have not gained traction. So Harden decided to make things uncomfortable when he publicly called Daryl Morey, Sixers’ president of basketball operations, a liar.

The NBA is now launching an inquiry in response to those comments. They want to gain an understanding of whether Harden plans on holding out from the Sixers and if both sides previously agreed to an illegal future contract. With training camp quickly approaching, will either side budge? And what does their best forward with Joel Embiid look like post-Harden?