The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers had several discussions about a James Harden trade, but the two sides never got close to making a deal, according to NBA insider Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and only wants to get traded to the Clippers. However, Philadelphia didn’t like what Los Angeles was offering for Harden and the Sixers have ended trade talks involving Harden.
“A team source told NBC Sports Philadelphia that, while the Sixers honored Harden’s request to explore a trade with the Clippers, they never got close to a deal,” Levick wrote. “The Sixers don’t feel a Harden trade would make sense unless it supports the organization’s priority of maximizing its championship odds, a source said.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Speaking at an event in China as part of a marketing tour for Adidas, Harden called Sixers president Daryl Morey a “liar.” The 2017-18 NBA MVP told fans that he won’t play for Philadelphia ever again. 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 no plans of taking part in training camp.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
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.
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