Joel Embiid might be done trusting the process in Philly if the Philadelphia 76ers fail to play for a championship in the near future.
Embiid was named NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season and enters his eighth season with the franchise contemplating his next move.
“I just want to win a championship. Whatever it takes,” Embiid said in an interview with Maverick Carter that took place Thursday at the Uninterrupted Sports Film Festival. “I don’t know where that’s gonna be, whether it’s in Philly or anywhere else, I just want to have a chance to accomplish that. I want to see what it feels like to win that first one, and then you can think about the next one. It’s not easy, but it takes more than one or two, three guys. You got to have good people around you, and myself, every single day, I work hard to be at that level so I can make it happen. So, every single day, I’m working towards that.”
Although the interview took place Thursday, video of the conversation gained steam Monday on social media.
Embiid said he “loves the challenge” of hearing other players mentioned for MVP and proving himself.
“I understand the business, it’s fun; at the end of the day, I think of it like this: I’m extremely blessed,” Embiid said.
Embiid was in Los Angeles to launch his own film studio, but he appears to have no control over who’ll be his co-star next season.
He has been paired with Ben Simmons and James Harden as the 76ers attempt to break through in the Eastern Conference. Simmons was traded for Harden, who returned last season for less than a maximum contract only to request a trade entering the 2023-24 season. Harden reportedly informed the 76ers he wants to play for the LA Clippers.
Embiid said last month that he was hopeful Harden would still change his mind.
Embiid signed a four-year, $213 million contract extension in 2021 that runs through 2026-27 and averages more than $52 million per season.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.