One of the biggest league-wide storylines of the summer was James Harden‘s trade request following his opt-in with the Sixers. Drama ensued over the following months, with tensions becoming so volatile that Harden called president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar” publicly in August.
However, after skipping Philadelphia’s media day on Monday, for which he was fined, and the first day of training camp on Tuesday, Harden showed up to Sixers training camp on Wednesday. As we relayed, there was no drama at training camp on Wednesday, nor was there any on Thursday, writes The Ringer’s Seerat Sohi.
Sohi details the summer of opposition between Harden and Morey, writing that Harden may have ended his holdout due to Philadelphia’s history of fining players for non-attendance, just as they did with Ben Simmons two years ago.
Exploring how the partnership got to this point, Sohi writes that Harden’s relationship with Morey began to deteriorate shortly before free agency, with Harden’s representatives wishing to engage in contract talk. But having been stripped of draft capital last offseason for tampering, Morey didn’t wish to have that happen again, and remained silent, according to Sohi. Harden spent the summer waiting to hear from Morey, Sohi writes, but didn’t.
Rumors swirled about Harden’s future well before free agency, with the 34-year-old guard tied to the Rockets, with whom he won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in 2017/18. However, according to Sohi, new coach Ime Udoka “was not a fan” of Harden, leaving Harden feeling as though he was running out of options and thus, looking to the Clippers, where he ended up demanding a trade to.
Before Harden picked up to his player option, his camp felt as though the Sixers would short-change him on a possible contract, writes Sohi. Seeing as Houston wasn’t a viable option for the star guard, Sohi writes that Harden’s camp felt as though Morey wished to get Harden to agree to a short, team-friendly deal, just as he did last summer. For now, Harden’s request stands as the Sixers approach their first preseason game on October 8.
We have more from the Sixers:
- In a separate story regarding the Harden and Morey fallout, Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic corroborate Sohi’s piece, asserting that Harden joined the Sixers for camp to avoid fines. However, the pair also write that Harden is taking part because he believes a potential deal with the Clippers is still in the works. Los Angeles is “going to great lengths” to trade for Harden, according to Charania and Amick, attempting to move pick swaps for additional draft capital to strengthen their offer. Charania and Amick write that the Clippers offered an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and matching salaries for Harden in July, but the Sixers want more, particularly eyeing Terance Mann and multiple first-round picks.
- For Joel Embiid‘s part in the Harden/Morey drama, Sohi writes that the franchise center is open to waiting to see what Morey can build and understands why it may take a while to build a contending team. Embiid has been through this before, Sohi writes, taking part in the “Process Era,” though that was well before his emergence as a superstar and league MVP.
- Embiid committed to play for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics on Thursday. Embiid was picking between the United States, France and Cameroon’s Olympic teams, and he explained his decision to play for the Americans to media on Thursday, as relayed by PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck (Twitter link). “It was tough,” Embiid said. “Obviously, I love all three options. … “My son is American, and you add that to the fact that I’ve been here for such a long time, I feel like for the past few years … every decision has been based off of family.”
Blazers saying they plan to keep Brogdon is most likely the catalyst here. They had zero shot at Dame, not enough to beat out the Celtics for Jrue, and Brogdon is supposedly off the board. So back to Harden.
This honestly could be the last effort to win a chip with the Kawhi PG13 core. They may decide to go in a different direction.
Joel wanting an easy victory.
True. Also probably sees the open hole at American center and doesn’t want to be overshadowed by wemby. Also love that Cameroon was “on the table” lol we all knew he wasn’t going to play there
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What a time to be a Phllly fan. Such an exciting team
I’m good with it! Eagles 4-0 first place, Phillies swept the WC and bring on the braves! And sixers b ball in less than a month.
The Phillies beat the Marlins in the WC round (easily the worst playoff team this year by run differential and other metrics). It’s not that impressive and while this team is certainly better than last years, last years team was insanely lucky with their NL opponents. The Phillies are not that good of a team and had little to no business being in the World Series (way to go allowing the Astros to win too). The playoffs are not reflective of high quality baseball and is just a crapshoot.
Braves fan?
You may have guessed because of the website you’re commenting on, but I’m talking about basketball dude.
I’ve seen your comments. Try baseball.
I’d be happy with Mann, RoCO, Morris, and 2 firsts no swaps for Harden and Tucker.
Clippers would be a very strong side
Harden PG Kawhi Tucker Zubac
Russ Powell Martin Batum Plumblee
Harden gives them a playmaker and another scoring option. Tucker very good defender and leader for them aswell. Russ off the bench in an impact role alongside Powell would be great.
As for us I guess Beverly moves into a starters role with Maxey and Tobias getting much bigger opportunities on offence. Mann and Maxey could be a really good backcourt pairing to develop. RoCo and Morris give us some solid depth alongside Kelly Oubre.
Strength in numbers.
Beverly Maxey RoCo Harris Embiid
Melton Mann Oubre Morris Reed
I’d be happy with that knowing we also have first round picks to use in the future. Morris is a Philly native so would be a homecoming for him. Our defence would be tough, I’m sure we’d be fine maybe not Milwaukee/Boston good but should be a 5th seed or in that range with room to grow
I don’t think Harden is worth two 1sts. He’s still better than 85% of other players in the league but he’s lost a step and has a much harder time getting to the rim than he use too. He’s also on an expiring deal and he going to want a massive contract. They clippers already have to decide on how much they want to give George and Leonard.
Wouldn’t De’Anthony Melton start over Beverley?
Expiring contract really means he will want a trade within 3 months.
I’d say Harden is worth a 1st and a couple 2nds, but throw in the fact your giving away PJ Tucker and your also taking back Marcus Morris who the clippers clearly don’t want so it adds up to be worth 2 first round picks in my opinion.
For for starting PG, I’d prefer Beverly.
He did a great job alongside ANT in helping him develop, I like his ability to defend next to Maxey and also help relieve him of some ball handling but not demanding that. He’s also got that alpha and experience which would be great with Maxey and Embiid
Melton on the other hand was great coming off the bench last season and he and Mann would be a solid duo. Both kinda combo guards, good defensively, neither too ball dominant.
Why do you want to make us worse???
I don’t think it really makes us worse.
We were always going to get someone worse than Harden considering he’s on an expiring deal and old etc etc
But what we are getting is good depth, players that want to be here, future upside and draft capital.
If I were you I’d be happy with Jabari Parker and a roll of paper towels.
You don’t seem to function with a high cognitive reasoning ability…so yeah you probably would be happy with that piss poor return…well done
Try soccer.
Are you still ok with “Hayward for Hardan, swapping expiring deals” no picks
At this point wouldn’t it be easier to just “Fire” Morey, let the season play out, let Harden walk and bring Morey back?
I’d just stop at firing Morey. Say what you want about Harden but he’s not wrong. Daryl Morey is a liar, just ask Chris Paul.
Yeah, I don’t see that happening.
I think I’m in the minority but I think James will on his best behaviour and ball out to start the year. I think he knows that there is exactly one suitor for him this time, and it doesn’t seem that the Clips want to give the Sixers the package they want. He can rebuild some value and more likely get his wish to leave Philly if he shows that he can be a good teammate and plays well. I know that isn’t what he had done when he wanted out of Houston and Brooklyn, but in both those cases their were teams that wanted him enough to trade real assets to get him. That isn’t happening this time.
You make to much sense why are you here ?
Embiid fears being the back up to Wemby…
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I don’t buy that the LAC will offer anything in excess of what they’ve already offered (which I find difficult to believe is what’s set forth), at least until the deadline.
At that point, if they’re healthy, and Harden is playing well (and less than 250 lbs), renting him at a ridiculous price might be the road to travel. Right now, there’s no other market for Harden, and one is unlikely to develop before the deadline, whereas there will be other players on the market at that point.
Morey should have been fired already (Harden situation notwithstanding). However, if Harden will come back with Morey fired now, I would GLADLY do that. Maybe this team isn’t winning running it back, but they darn sure have a better chance than if Harden is traded for 10 cents on the dollar.
Get Hard at Harden’s Gentlemen’s Club.
Locations in Houston, New Jersey and Philly. Stay tuned to the next Grand Opening!
Los Angeles is “going to great lengths” to trade for Harden
All that just to lose in the 2nd round
We just assume that the Nuggets, Lakers, GSW, etc will be at the top and fully healthy.
Things happen, usually the injuries occur in Clipperland. But, no one expected Toronto to win, but KD goes down.
LeBron is old and AD is Mr. Glass. Jokic looks like he is training to be a cop more than an NBA MVP (donuts). MPJ could go down again. Steph/Klay have had their injuries. You never know, but if you add the league leader in assists per game to your team, who also scored 20 a game. Your odds go up.
I do think the West will just be won by whomever is healthiest at the end of the season. Probably will be the Nuggets.
The trade is a clear step back for the Sixers, which is why they are insisting on Mann and picks.