James Harden is expected to report to training camp if the Philadelphia 76ers don’t trade him, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Philadelphia doesn’t have to trade the former MVP since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Harden requested trades from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets and got his wish both times.
“If this saga does drag out through September and until Media Day on Oct. 2, Harden is expected at this point to report to training camp, according to league sources,” Fischer wrote. “You can cause far more headaches for the organization you’re trying to leave by showing up, as opposed to staying home.
“With both the Rockets and Nets, Harden made various trips away from the team for various nightlife activities. He made Brooklyn feel it had no other option but to trade him to the Sixers before the 2022 trade deadline, or risk losing him for nothing. With Philadelphia, Harden’s side is very much of the belief joining the Clippers is not a matter of if, but when.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden was born and raised in Los Angeles and has a relationship with Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The 10-time All-Star doesn’t want to play for the Sixers anymore since the franchise didn’t offer him a max contract.
Harden’s relationship with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is “fractured.” Morey and Harden used to be very close. They worked together on the Rockets and were reunited in Philadelphia after Morey traded for Harden from the Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
However, Harden is extremely upset at the way in which Morey handled his possible free agency and has made his dissatisfaction clear by requesting a trade.
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