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Joel Embiid should be deciding factor in Sixers’ Colangelo decision

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers getting stretched before the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers getting stretched before the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on April 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

If Joel Embiid no longer trusts Bryan Colangelo, that should make the Philadelphia 76ers’ decision easy.

It’s safe to say that the Bryan Colangelo fiasco has been the weirdest storyline of the NBA season. A high-ranking GM with a long history in the league is allegedly tied to five no-name Twitter accounts that have been dropping sensitive information and disparaging Philadelphia 76ers players for years.

That just doesn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen.

As things currently stand, there is no definitive proof that Colangelo is the one tweeting from those accounts. There seems to be a high likelihood that Colangelo isn’t the one sending out those ill-advised messages, just somebody close to him.

One theory that’s picking up steam is that it’s Barbara Bottini, Colangelo’s wife. That would explain quite a bit. Here’s an in-depth thread on that possibility:

Either way, though, it’s tough to imagine Colangelo emerging from this situation unscathed. Not only has he jeopardized the trust of players in the locker room, but it’s difficult to picture the likes of LeBron James and Paul George wanting to play for Eric Jr.

It goes without saying that the players in the locker room should play a major role in dictating the outcome of this whole situation. Even if the team doesn’t find concrete proof on which to fire Colangelo, it’s tough to deny the obvious overlap between the accounts and Colangelo’s personal life/beliefs.

One player that could very well act as judge, jury and executioner in the Sixers’ decision-making process is Joel Embiid. It didn’t take long for the big man to take to Twitter and poke fun at Colangelo once the report came out. This tweet in particular struck me as important.

Embiid would later walk back his comments and essentially say that Colangelo is innocent until proven guilty. But I don’t think his public comments, which were probably made for P.R. reasons, necessarily reflect his true feelings.

For a while now, we’ve known that Colangelo isn’t a big fan of Sam Hinkie. Embiid taking to Twitter to call the former GM better than the current GM is bound to cause some level of friction, even if Colangelo’s sole job is to keep Embiid happy.

If the Sixers’ franchise cornerstone — the one talent they have locked up on a long-term, max contract — doesn’t trust Colangelo, there’s no good reason to keep him around the organization.

It’s similar to the Karl-Anthony Towns situation in Minnesota. The Wolves shouldn’t trade their youngest building block before cleaning out the front office and firing the coach, whichever makes him happy. Somebody like Embiid holds significantly more long-term value than Colangelo. The latter can be replaced with relative ease; you can’t replace Embiid.

Next: Does the Colangelo report damage the Sixers' reputation?

Unless Colangelo pulls a proverbial rabbit out his hat, this story is likely to damage his reputation beyond repair. That, combined with the fact that Embiid literally told the public that he likes the old GM more, should be enough to start a discussion about relieving Colangelo of his duties.