The Philadelphia 76ers told James Harden not to travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks because they believed it would be too much of a disruption, according to NBA insider Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
Harden had his bags packed and was ready to fly with the team to Milwaukee, but the Sixers directed the 10-time All-Star to report to the practice facility and work with the development and medical staff to get ready to begin the season as soon as possible.
Harden has been seeking a trade since picking up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season in June. The lefty was away from the team and was in Houston with his sick mother last week.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden has been frustrated for months that his wish to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers has yet to be granted. He arrived late to training camp and continued to practice with the Sixers before missing practices last week.
Harden, who had been tied at the hip with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey since the latter brought him to the Houston Rockets in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder before the 2012-13 season, called Morey a “liar” during his Adidas tour in China in August.
Harden said on October 13 that there was no chance of that relationship being repaired and he repeatedly referred to Morey as “the front office” without saying his name.
“No,” Harden said when asked directly whether he thought things could get patched up with Morey. “This is not even about this situation — this is in life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage … you lose trust in someone, you know what I mean? It’s pretty simple.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden started 58 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists and led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
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