According to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, James Harden is “frustrated” that the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers yet.
Harden requested a trade from the Sixers to the Clippers in June. The 2017-18 MVP skipped media day and the first day of practice before showing up on Day 2, hoping his participation in practice would lead to a trade to the Clippers.
However, the Sixers are still maintaining a high asking price for Harden and the Clippers have not met it yet.
Harden called Sixers president Daryl Morey a liar during his Adidas tour in China because he wasn’t traded to the Clippers in June after opting into his 2023-24 player option. Harden felt Morey ghosted him before free agency started.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Rather than wait for Morey to present whatever offer he had come up with once free agency opened on July 1, Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option before the June 30 deadline and requested a trade.
The Clippers want to acquire Harden, but they are unwilling to part ways with Terance Mann and multiple draft picks. Morey doesn’t care how unprofessional Harden acts. He’s not going to make a poor trade just to get rid of Harden, who remains an excellent player.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Unless the Clippers improve their offer for Harden, all signs point toward Harden being on the Sixers on opening night. If The Beard doesn’t play for Philadelphia, he will be fined.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
