The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers are expected to discuss a James Harden trade again this offseason, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Clippers. The 2017-18 NBA MVP was born and raised in Los Angeles and has a rapport with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
“The Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers are expected to engage again in discussions on a Harden trade this offseason, league sources who are involved in the discussions but unauthorized to speak on the matter say,” Charania wrote. “Harden still prefers to be moved, and Philadelphia is working to honor his wish, as 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey recently said.”
Harden’s relationship with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is “fractured.” Morey and Harden used to be very close since they worked together on the Houston Rockets and were reunited in Philadelphia after Morey traded for Harden from the Brooklyn Nets during the 2021-22 season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers & 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 despite being friends with Sixers superstar big man Joel Embiid, who won the NBA MVP Award last season.
The Sixers and Clippers haven’t made any progress on a Harden trade thus far. 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.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden intends to “never wear” a Sixers uniform again, sources told NBA Analysis Network. The three-time NBA scoring champion requested trades from the Rockets and Nets and got his wish both times, so odds are Harden will eventually get traded by the Sixers.
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