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Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid have to bury hatchet after Drummond signs with 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are going to test whether #TheProcess is stronger than bad blood. The team risked upsetting its chemistry Tuesday, signing center Andre Drummond to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

While Drummond, 27, should help the team on the court, that's not the reason people are focused on the signing. Drummond and 76ers star Joel Embiid have a significant rivalry that spans multiple years. After throwing insults at each other constantly, the two will now have to coexist in the same locker room.

The issue began in 2017. Embiid criticized Drummond's defense. Drummond responded by saying he would see Embiid when the two played. Drummond then criticized Embiid's durability, calling out Embiid for not playing in back-to-back games at the time. Embiid was coming off multiple injuries at that point in his career. Later that year, Embiid waved goodbye to Drummond after he fouled out of a game.

The feud continued in 2018. Drummond said Embiid was out of shape, and Embiid said he had real estate in Drummond's head.

The 76ers saw all of that ... and still decided to sign Drummond.

Andre Drummond joins 76ers after feud with Joel Embiid

While things have been testy between the two in the past, there's no reason the relationship between Drummond and Embiid needs to continue being toxic. One would assume the 76ers talked to Embiid about the move, or at least feel confident Embiid will bury the hatchet now that the two are teammates.

Embiid may have been critical of Drummond in the past, but it's not as if Drummond is a useless player. He averaged 14.9 points and 12 rebounds last season. He's led the NBA in rebounding four seasons and is considered a strong defender. Drummond will help the 76ers win games.

That might be all it takes for him and Embiid to finally get on the same page.

Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid face off.
Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid will have to coexist in the same locker room. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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