According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden’s relationship with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is “fractured.” Morey and Harden used to be very close. They worked together on the Houston Rockets and were reunited in Philadelphia after Morey traded for Harden from the Brooklyn Nets.
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.
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 playoffs 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 got in the way between Harden and the Sixers. Harden wanted a max contract and Philadelphia didn’t want to give him one due to his age.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Daryl Morey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
After Harden learned about the Sixers’ plans to not give him a max contract, he opted into his player option and requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. 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 recently spoke to the Sixers and reiterated his trade request. However, since Harden doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, Philadelphia doesn’t have to honor the 10-time All-Star’s trade request.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Daryl Morey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden intends to “never wear” a Sixers uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network. He is determined to get traded to the Clippers, who have Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, three players Harden has a rapport with.
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