Former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers spoke with NBA host Malika Andrews of ESPN about James Harden, who has requested a trade from the Sixers. Rivers coached Harden in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before getting fired by Philadelphia.
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 10-time All-Star was fined $100,000 by the NBA for calling Daryl Morey “a liar” during his Adidas tour in China. Harden called Morey a liar since he wasn’t traded quickly after opting into his 2023-24 player option.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Doc Rivers, 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 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 Clippers. The Sixers and Clippers engaged in numerous conversations but never gained traction on a deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Doc Rivers, 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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