Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will not trade James Harden unless the franchise gets a substantial haul. Harden, the 2017-18 NBA MVP, has requested a trade from the Sixers, but Morey doesn’t have to honor the trade request since Harden doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Morey and Harden used to have a close relationship. However, it’s believed that Harden and Morey are no longer close since the Sixers didn’t offer Harden a max contract this summer.
“If we don’t get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player, we are not going to do it,” Morey said on 97.5 FM.
Morey’s asking price for Harden is exorbitant, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The Sixers are believed to be asking for a lot for Harden because they feel comfortable with the idea of him returning to the team next season.
“His asking price is exorbitant,” Wojnarowski said. “Teams are not engaging the Sixers with the kind of asks that Daryl Morey is asking for James Harden. That’s where Daryl Morey always starts in trade talks, really high. Over time, perhaps, you work him back down.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max contract this offseason, he opted into his player option and requested a trade. The 10-time All-Star 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 floor, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
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 was initially strong optimism on Harden’s side that he would be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers since both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining them in Los Angeles.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
However, the Clippers and Sixers have made no progress on a Harden trade.
Harden intends to “never wear” a Philly 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.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
