Until the 76ers do or don’t trade for James Harden, their most vital and purportedly discordant relationship exists between Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Coming off a disastrous third year as the team’s two most important players, the All-Stars are surrounded by a brand-new supporting cast that was designed to cover up their blemishes and give them space to work. In this fresh ecosystem, their ability to complement one another and simultaneously thrive is paramount to the organization’s short- and long-term health.
Hence, further developing the rapport shared by their two best players feels like the right thing to do.