The sooner Harden's trade request is resolved, in one way or another, the sooner the Sixers can channel their focus entirely towards doing what they can to win a championship this season.
The Sixers' stance on Maxey has been remarkably consistent throughout the offseason - they view him as a cornerstone of their future. They don't just talk about building around Embiid; they talk about building around both him and Maxey. Any ear that will listen knows that the Sixers view Maxey as untouchable in trade talks.
But, Paul is obviously watching the Harden situation unfold from afar.
It wasn't all that long ago that he posted two sentences on his Instagram Story: "Been comfortable for so long. It's time to get uncomfortable." Now, Harden is trying to make the Sixers uncomfortable by opening the door to what he feels is the truth.
Whatever the case, Embiid made it clear that he's watching everything the Sixers are doing very closely as the Harden situation plays out. Daryl Morey and company are on the clock.
With Harden's time in Philadelphia almost certainly over after the star guard opted into the final year of his deal in hopes of a trade, this is the sort of scenario that gives the Sixers a chance to pivot from one star guard to another. And one that perhaps fits better with Joel Embiid, at that.