Amidst reports of James Harden's desire to leave the 76ers, a similar sentiment from his teammate Joel Embiid, who clinched the NBA MVP title last season, could raise questions. Notably, the 29-year-old center recently removed Philadelphia-related content from his social media profiles.

Should both Harden and Embiid opt to depart, it could potentially push the 76ers toward a rebuilding phase. In such a scenario, a team like the Houston Rockets, boasting promising young prospects and future draft assets, might consider pursuing Embiid.

Kelly Iko, a respected sportswriter from The Athletic, raised this possibility, particularly highlighting the connection between Joel and Ime Udoka on a recent episode of The Athletic NBA Show:

"The Houston Rockets are another team to watch, primarily due to the relationship between Joel and Ime Udoka. While there could be adjustments in the upcoming year, if Embiid expresses a desire to leave in the future, keep an eye on the New York Knicks and Houston as potential landing spots."

Udoka's presence at Embiid's wedding this past summer and Embiid's positive response to the Rockets' announcement of Udoka's head coaching role underscore this potential connection.

For Philadelphia, sending Embiid to the Western Conference, such as to the Rockets, might be more appealing than trading him to an Eastern Conference rival like the Knicks, situated just 100 miles away.

However, Houston's pursuit of Embiid might not materialize immediately. With Embiid set to earn $47.6 million in the upcoming season, the Rockets might need to wait until the 2023 offseason signings become eligible for trade in the middle of the 2023-24 season before matching his salary in a potential deal.

Yet, if Embiid presents an offer before the February 2024 trade deadline or the following offseason, the Rockets could entice the Sixers with young prospects and draft assets. From Embiid's perspective, his connection with Udoka and the Rockets' potential competitiveness following the development of their young talents and recent signings like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks could be factors to consider.

Currently, there's no indication that Embiid wants to leave Philadelphia, and the Rockets lack the immediate capacity to trade for him even if he did express such a desire. Nevertheless, this situation is worth monitoring in the months ahead.

Embiid's remarkable averages of 33.1 points (54.8% FG, 33.0% 3-pointers), 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season serve as a testament to his skill and impact on the court.

Complete your style with the  AIR JORDAN 1 HIGH ZIP WHITE, AIR JORDAN 1 LIGHT SMOKE GREY RELEASE DATE, and  AIR JORDAN 1 LOW BASKETBALL SHOES shoes. They are a perfect blend of fashionable appeal and timeless tradition. Whether you choose to wear them with casual or urban outfits, these sneakers will add unmatched charm to your look. To learn more about the subtleties of these shoes, please refer to the search for keyword.