James Harden wanted to travel with the Philadelphia 76ers to Milwaukee, but he was stopped by a security official from boarding the team plane, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
Sixers general manager Elton Brand and head coach Nick Nurse told Harden that the organization prefers he follows their workout plan, which includes staying at the practice facility while the team is away.
Harden was frustrated he wasn’t allowed on the team plane but left without further incident. The former MVP still wants the Sixers to trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In the offseason, Harden rented a house for nearly a month in a resort area of Colorado for a boot camp. The high altitude made for rigid training sessions. Harden worked out multiple times a day during the entirety of his 27-day stay.
Harden’s contingent consisted of a rotating personnel of 12 important individuals, including basketball trainers, fitness specialists, nutritionists and cooks. The Sixers maintain that Harden’s ramp-up is the priority, while Harden’s camp believes the emphasis is to eliminate a perceived potential distraction as the team opens with a difficult two-game road trip.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden has been frustrated for months that his wish to be traded to the Clippers has yet to be granted. The future Hall of Famer called Sixers president Daryl Morey a “liar” during his Adidas tour in China in August since he wasn’t traded to Los Angeles after picking up his player option for this season.
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