James Harden skipped media day with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday and wasn’t at practice on Tuesday. However, the 10-time All-Star showed up to practice on Wednesday, and according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Harden didn’t cause any drama.
Harden may have reported to training camp, but according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, The Beard still has zero intentions of playing for the Sixers again. Harden requested a trade from Philly in June and is angry at Daryl Morey.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
According to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Harden felt Morey ghosted him before free agency started. Rather than wait for Morey and the Sixers to present whatever offer they had come up with once free agency opened on July 1, Harden decided to pick up his $35.6 million player option before the June 30 deadline and request a trade.
The Sixers were stunned at Harden’s decision, insisting to him and his representatives they had been distant only because they were hit with the largest tampering fine in NBA history and that they had every intention of re-signing him as soon as the rules allowed. However, it was too late.
Harden was fined $100,000 by the NBA for calling Morey “a liar” during his Adidas tour in China. The NBA launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Harden’s public admonishment of Morey. As part of the investigation, Harden told NBA investigators he called Morey “a liar” because he wasn’t traded “quickly” after opting into his player option for the 2023-24 season.
Harden exercised his $35.6 million option for the 2023-24 season in June with an expectation that Morey would work with him on finding a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers and Clippers engaged in numerous conversations but never gained traction on a deal.
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. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
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