The Philadelphia 76ers are comfortable playing out next season with James Harden on the roster if they don’t trade him this summer, according to NBA insider Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 10-time All-Star and 2017-18 MVP is extremely upset at the way in which Philadelphia handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise.
“There have been strong rumblings out of Philadelphia that if the Sixers don’t get the kind of offer they are looking for in a James Harden deal they are comfortable playing out next season with him on the roster,” Mannix wrote. “And why wouldn’t they be? This isn’t 2020.
The Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach and replaced by Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Nurse and Harden met in Houston in June and the meeting went well. However, money has gotten in the way between Harden and the Sixers, as Harden wants a max contract and Philadelphia doesn’t want to give him one.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max deal, he opted into his player option and requested a trade. The future Hall of Famer believes he should be compensated fairly after averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
Harden led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career and helped Joel Embiid win the MVP Award.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
There is strong optimism on Harden’s side that he will be traded to the Clippers. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining them in Los Angeles.
The Sixers and Clippers have already talked about a Harden trade. It will be fascinating to see if a deal is reached soon.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
