James Harden recently spoke to the Philadelphia 76ers and “reiterated” his trade request, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Harden opted into his 2023-24 player option and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“They’ve spoken again and he still reiterated that he wants to be traded,” Shelburne said on NBA Today, via Bleacher Report. “Now, this is not a demand. It’s a request. And I think that the Sixers have said, ‘OK, we will try to trade you,’ but there is no hurry to do this. And I think the Sixers understand here that they have the leverage here. I mean James has picked up his option. This is an opt-in to his contract and he’s going to be a free agent after this season. So at some point, he needs to play, whether that is in Philadelphia or elsewhere.”
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max deal this summer, 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
New Sixers guard Patrick Beverley met with reporters on July 10 and he publicly recruited Harden to stay in Philadelphia. According to Shelburne, Harden has been in contact with Beverley and Joel Embiid.
“He’s been talking to Joel Embiid,” Shelburne said. “He’s been talking to Patrick Beverley, P.J. Tucker. Eventually, maybe these fences can be mended and there is a path to reconciliation with James Harden. But for now, he has reiterated his trade request.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden intends to “never wear” a Sixers uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network. The Sixers, though, are comfortable taking their time with Harden’s trade request and have no issue with “The Beard” being on the team to start next season.
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