3 reasons the 76ers can't afford to allow the Rockets to poach James Harden

3. Joel Embiid and James Harden have a great relationship

On the surface, it seems that James Harden and Joel Embiid have a great relationship, both on and off the court. On the court, Embiid has stated that Harden has set him up for some of the best looks he's ever seen and has made it easier for him to thrive. 

Off the court we've seen much of the same, as Harden praised Embiid on social media when he won the MVP. Harden also bought Embiid a Rolex and was seen hugging him after he won the award.

Why is this important, you ask? Well, for example, we didn't see any of this from Ben Simmons. So it's not like this is par for the course, as it pertains to star-level teammates. 

Simmons is the exact reason why the Sixers should not assume that relationship and dynamic can be replaced with a new face because they've seen that it can't necessarily. And the Sixers' unquestioned superstar is Embiid.

Their number one focus needs to be to make him happy. He's their future. Sure, he's 29-years-old and technically in his ninth season, but he's got a lot of life left on his physical frame, as he's missed a bevy of games, which I previously discussed in detail.

And Embiid and Harden already have great chemistry on the court, so why bring in yet another co-star, when you already know what you currently have works just fine?