The Knicks want Joel Embiid. Will his love for Philly keep him here?

Joel Embiid has a deep attachment to Philly.

The 76ers’ franchise player made that clear at last month’s media day. Embiid said he wants to win an NBA championship here, no matter what players on the team. He believes he has a chance to do just that.

“So it’s all up to me really … to just go out there and do whatever it takes to win,” Embiid said. “And I’m here in Philly. I love Philly. I’ve been here my whole career.”

» READ MORE: Sixers president Daryl Morey faces career-defining season as James Harden saga looms over his legacy

That may all be true at this moment, and it sounds good. But how would Embiid feel if the Sixers are unable to get anything meaningful back in a trade for James Harden? Would Embiid’s stance change? Would he privately request a trade, knowing the team’s already dwindling championship window has closed?

The New York Knicks are closely monitoring the situation, hoping it ends with Embiid forcing his way out.

Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose has made obtaining Embiid, if he becomes available, No. 1 priority, according to sources.

Rose, a Cherry Hill native and Cherry Hill East High School graduate, was a prominent sports agent before taking over the Knicks. Embiid was once Rose’s client at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The Knicks are willing to offer a package that includes three key players, with Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier and Mitchell Robinson all available in exchange for Embiid, according to sources. A trio from that group would be paired with two or three first-round picks.

As the reigning MVP, the Sixers should be able to get better offers for Embiid. And it wouldn’t make sense to trade him to an Atlantic Division rival.

But the front office has to be concerned if they can’t make a Harden deal to Embiid’s liking. Any deal they make would have to be for a player or assets that keep them in title contention.

Struggling to remain healthy throughout his career, you never know how much longer Embiid is going to play. So getting a player to help facilitate the Sixers’ win-now approach is the only way to go.

If they’re unable to do so, no one should be upset if Embiid wants out.

» READ MORE: Nick Nurse reached out to disgruntled Sixers point guard James Harden

In six consecutive postseason appearances, the Sixers have failed to make it out of the second round. They suffered second-round exits in each of the last three seasons, and suffered the same fate in 2018 and 2019. They were also swept in the first round in 2020.

And if early exits aren’t bad enough, Embiid’s supporting cast has featured a revolving door of players. Embiid says he likes the challenge. But he also admits it can be frustrating at times that the Sixers lack continuity.

That’s why there’s pressure on Sixers president of basketball operation Daryl Morey to make the right move. He and the Sixers staff can’t afford a poor trade or its potential domino effects, which could include Embiid asking out.

Sure, Embiid said all the right things at media day, knowing people were paying close attention to his words.

But it’s hard to forget that Embiid’s stance was slightly different when he spoke to Maverick Carter during July’s UNINTERRUPTED Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Back then, Carter, a sports-marketing businessman and media personality, asked the reigning league MVP what we should expect from him moving forward.

“I just want to win a championship … whether it’s Philly or anywhere else,” Embiid told him.

Embiid and the Sixers tried to downplay those comments, just like he tried to downplay his tweet, ”This offseason was fun…” after the Celtics landed Jrue Holiday last month.

But that tweet drew more than 1,738 replies in the first hour. One person said, “Request a trade.” Another comment read, “It’s been real brother.” That was followed by, “See you later,” and crying emojis.

Inquiring minds wondered if Embiid’s tweet was a passive aggressive way of voicing his displeasure with the team’s inactivity as the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks made major moves.

The Knicks are among the teams paying close attention, hoping the Sixers mess this up.

In their eyes, Embiid has every right to hold onto his love of Philly. They just hope he’ll ask to do it from afar.