Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey wasn’t surprised by James Harden’s comments in China, according to NBA insider Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Speaking at an event in China as part of a marketing tour for Adidas, Harden called Morey a “liar.”
“A league source said Daryl Morey wasn’t surprised at James Harden’s commentary and his attempt to make things personal given his agent’s reaction this weekend to being informed the Sixers weren’t able to find a suitable deal,” Pompey wrote.
Harden is unhappy with Morey over the lack of a long-term maximum-level contract offer this summer. The 10-time NBA All-Star has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Sixers have ended trade talks involving Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for the start of next season, setting up an uncomfortable situation. Philadelphia had periodic trade conversations with the Clippers, Harden’s desired destination, but no traction on a deal materialized.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Daryl Morey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after he agreed to pick up his $35.6 million player option for next season in June. However, Philadelphia’s asking price for Harden was steep and no teams, including the Clippers, were willing or able to meet it. The Sixers believe they will be a championship contender with Harden’s return alongside Joel Embiid and the team is determined to find a way to make it work with Harden next season.
However, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Harden no longer wants to play for the Sixers and has no plans of taking part in training camp. The Beard requested trades from the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets and got traded by both franchises.
In 58 games for the Sixers in 2022-23, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the floor, 38.5% from 3 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, Daryl Morey & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
If Harden isn’t traded before training camp starts and he holds out for more than 30 days, the Sixers can prevent him from entering free agency in the summer of 2024, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN. Since Harden is in the final year of his contract, different NBA holdout rules would apply to him if he decided not to report to training camp and play.
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