Although James Harden may be in attendance this week for training camp, it’s unclear what the Sixers can expect from him, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who said in an NBA Today YouTube segment that the star guard may simply intend to put more pressure on the club in the hopes of forcing a change of scenery.
“James Harden wants a trade. He wants to make the 76ers uncomfortable, so uncomfortable, ultimately, that they don’t think that they’re going to get the best out of him, and that they’ll make a trade,” Wojnarowski said. “The Sixers, on the other hand, they want to wait this out and hope they get the best James Harden, the best version of him sooner than later.”
As Wojnarowski explains, the Sixers don’t believe there’s a deal for Harden out there that will maintain or improve their chances of contending for a championship, so hanging onto the former MVP and attempting to reconcile may be the path with the highest upside.
“The difference between the Harden situation and the Ben Simmons situation a couple years ago (is) there were a lot of possible deals out there for Ben Simmons,” Wojnarowski said. “So you would measure them, you would look at them, what they could get. Teams in both conferences had interest in Ben Simmons. This is different. There’s not widespread interest in James Harden.”
Wojnarowski refers to the Clippers as the “most motivated” team to land Harden, given that they want to contend for a title this season and could use a play-making guard, but reiterates that they don’t want to bid against themselves. As for other potential suitors, Woj notes that the Knicks talked to the Sixers earlier in the process, but says New York isn’t particularly enthusiastic to pursue what might be a one-year rental of Harden.
Here’s more on the Sixers:
- Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer confirms that Harden arrived in Colorado on Tuesday night, as expected. However, the 34-year-old remains angry at Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and has “zero intentions of rejoining this group in earnest” even after reporting to camp, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
- Within the same Athletic story, Amick explores the team’s motivation for holding its training camp in Colorado, noting that practicing in altitude was one factor head coach Nick Nurse considered. Getting out from under the spotlight in Philadelphia was another. “Taking the team away, and the old (idea of), ‘Let’s get out and get away and bond and spend some time together,’ that’s still a real thing,” Nurse said. “It’s still a real thing. And as you mentioned, and if I’m being honest with you, yes, I thought that getting away from the media a little bit, and from all of this, could help us so we can focus on basketball.”
- Injured big man Montrezl Harrell, who is recovering from surgery on the torn ACL in his right knee, isn’t with the Sixers in training camp and is expected to remain away from the team while going through the rehab process, tweets Pompey.
- Veteran forward Tobias Harris spoke to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports about Harden’s situation, his early impressions of Nurse, and how several Sixers players on expiring contracts (including himself) will focus on team goals this season.
- With the Harden saga still unresolved and the 76ers’ rivals in Boston and Milwaukee loading up ahead of the 2023/24 season, Pompey suggests in an article for The Philadelphia Inquirer that it’s fair to wonder if the club’s title window has closed.
Fournier, Donte D and Jeffries with a pick for Harden
Not interested
I don’t know if the Knicks would be, either, tbh. Harden brings a lot of drama to a team that just found a stable setting and look to improve.
I agree. I’m not sure James would be a good fit in NY and their style…he would certainly be an upgrade in talent but I’m not sure fit and chemistry would line up there
His on-floor fit wouldn’t be too bad. Good shooting and another playmaker to run their schemes (lack of defense would suck). Plus he brings more size to the backcourt, and above-average rebounding for a guard. But in the locker room? Heck no. They already have their leader in Brunson. They don’t need anyone trying to muscle in on that. Especially not a guy with a wounded ego who thinks he’s better than he actually is.
I’ll always love hoops but this type of behavior is ridiculous. Pouting and acting like a petulant child?
I think a lot of these guys will look back, when they are on the outside and feel ashamed.
You can tell with guys like Shaq and Barkley (and almost all the greats) that when they look back, they regret some of their actions (being out of shape, holdouts etc.)
You are trying to be cement a legacy at the end of day. This will always follow you.
You know the saying “money is the root of all evil”? I think it’s more “money is the root of all stupidity”. And when there’s a lot of money potentially at stake, it makes people do stupid things. This isn’t that different from a fair number of situations in NBA history.
I agree. In the heat of the moment, greed is driving this, but with some perspective (easy for me to say, I realize) this behaviour is so petty.
Selfishness is the root of all evil.
PHI deserves a Harden slow-play and the lose-lose-lose choices it will present. They helped impose it on BKN the last time Harden was unhappy. Maybe they’ll handle it better than BKN did (capitulation). But Morey’s chances of seeing a happy ending in PHI with Harden playing well through the playoffs seem low. One of BKN’s concerns was that Harden might hit a conditioning level where playing well wouldn’t even be an option for him that season.
They should deal with Houston for KPJ, Jeff Green, Tate, FRP, 2 SRPs for Harden and Springer.
Sixers hang on to KPJ up until the deadline to try and make a move or just cut him before more money gets guaranteed.
Houston gets the best player they can possibly get for that toxic player. It’s also no risk, 1 year deal, he wants to be there, and he would resign with them if they offered him a decent deal next year.
They also have 20 draft picks picks over the next 7 years.
Sixers need to recoup some draft assets to move KPJ later and continue to build around Troell.
Can’t trade green fir 3 months
He signed Juky 7th, he can be traded after today. Yesterday fanspo said Oct 4th, now it is saying Dec 15th. If he inked on July 7th, were at the 3 month mark.
The rule is that free agents can’t be traded for three months or until December 15, whichever comes later. So no free agent who signed this offseason can be dealt until at least Dec. 15 (ones who signed after Sept. 15 won’t become trade-eligible until later).
Welp, I guess fanspo has been bleeping me up for the last few months. Thanks for the clarification Luke.