Has James Harden, 76ers Drama Re-Opened Knicks Joel Embiid Trade Case?

The New York Knicks could leap back into the potential Joel Embiid sweepstakes after the latest dramatic developments around the Philadelphia 76ers.

The NBA is looking into the Philadelphia 76ers' affairs and the New York Knicks could join them. 

James Harden's labeling of Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey as a "liar" has prompted an NBA investigation. The latest Harden drama centers around his ignored trade request as he previously inked a player option with the 76ers with the understanding that a transfer would be sought. 

If the situation fails to resolve itself ... and Harden has made it clear he's not interested in playing a third season under Morey's watch in Philadelphia ... some have pondered the potential aftershocks, namely the future of newly-minted MVP Joel Embiid. Considering this era of 76ers basketball headlined by Embiid has primarily yielded second-round disappointment (including a seven-game defeat to Boston this past spring), some believe that trading Harden would be the first step of a wider rebuild.

Embiid would obviously have his series of suitors and new intel suggests that the New York Knicks would (continue to) be one of them.

"“Everyone’s circling, waiting," Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports said in a report. "The Knicks and Miami (Heat) are keeping an eye on everything going on."

The Knicks are no strangers to Embiid gossip. Amateur general managers every immediately included New York in hypothetical trades when Embiid said his primary goal was a championship whether it came "in Philly or anywhere else" during a public appearance. 

Infamous for expressing interest in high-profile imports but rarely actually landing them, the Knicks are well-equipped to land a major talent: standing among the Eastern Conference's final four behind strong efforts for Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, New York has also kept a cupboard full of draft picks and young assets (I.e. Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley) well-stocked.

Is Harden's latest outburst the falling domino that reshapes the NBA's Eastern Conference landscape? The Knicks have spent the past two summers being very patient and that serenity was vindicated when they pulled out of the bidding war for Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell. As a Cleveland Cavalier, Mitchell was a victim of the Knicks' first postseason series victory since 2013 and now there's doubt over whether he'll ink a long-term deal in wine and gold.

But, even if Brunson and Randle build upon their thrilling, rewarding work from last season, it stands to reason that the Knicks won't be able to realistically compete with East's elite until they add a bona fide, established superstar to their fold. 

Whether Philadelphia's fall leads to New York ascension remains to be seen.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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