New Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverley met with NBA reporters on July 10 and he publicly recruited James Harden to stay with the Sixers.
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option with the Sixers and requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. Beverley is hoping that Harden changes his mind since the two are very close friends.
Harden and Beverley were teammates on the Houston Rockets. It will be interesting to see if Harden is back with the Sixers next season or if he’s playing for another team.
The 33-year-old Harden averaged 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. The 2017-18 MVP led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Patrick Beverley & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games and Harden didn’t play well in Game 6 or Game 7. Doc Rivers was fired as head coach after the season 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. Harden wants a max contract and Philadelphia doesn’t want to give “The Beard” one.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Patrick Beverley & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden is extremely upset at the way in which Philly handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear to the franchise. 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.
Harden intends to “never wear” a Sixers uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network. The Sixers and Clippers have already talked about a Harden trade.
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