James Harden wants to get traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers before training camp begins, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Clippers so he can play with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The 2017-18 NBA MVP requested trades from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets and got his wish both times.
“My sense is Harden would ideally like a trade before training camp begins,” Scotto wrote. “We’ve seen previously in Houston how a disgruntled Harden can be in camp. I wonder if Philadelphia has the stomach for that going into camp because it’s been reported he’d go into camp. He’s not going to miss out on money if it went that far.”
Harden was born and raised in Los Angeles and has a relationship with Leonard, George and Westbrook. The 10-time NBA All-Star doesn’t want to play for the Sixers anymore since the franchise didn’t offer him a max contract this summer.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
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. 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 and Clippers haven’t made much progress on a Harden trade. If Philadelphia doesn’t trade Harden before training camp starts, Harden is expected to report to training camp, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In 58 games for the Sixers last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
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