Joel Embiid might have had another star in his sights prior to the Philadelphia 76ers acquiring James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets.

The Ringer's Bill Simmons reported Thursday on his podcast that Embiid "really wanted" Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal "and was pushing really hard for it."

"Part of the reason the trade stuff took so long was because there was the Sixers side that wanted Harden—obviously Daryl [Morey], because Harden is his guy," Simmons said at the 42-minute mark. "But Embiid really wanted Beal because he felt like he was a better fit and was pushing, pushing, pushing."

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Simmons also reported that Embiid was angling to land Beal even after the three-time All-Star suffered a wrist injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.

In a vacuum, Beal might have been a better target for Philadelphia than Harden.