James Harden says he wanted to retire a Sixer, Philadelphia front office had other plans

James Harden discussed his situation with the Philadelphia 76ers with reporters Friday, saying he “wanted to retire a Sixer” when he was first traded to the team but the front office didn’t “have that in their future plans.” Here’s what you need to know:

• Harden has been practicing with the Sixers since the second day of training camp after a turbulent offseason in which he called president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar” and vowed to “never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
• Asked Friday whether he thinks his relationship with the team can be repaired, Harden gave a firm “No.” He added: “It’s not just about this situation, but in life, when you lose trust in someone … it’s like a marriage, when you lose trust in someone, it’s pretty simple.”
• The former MVP Harden, 34, wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and is slated to be a free agent next summer. The Athletic reported earlier this month Harden decided to take part in training camp because he remains hopeful that a trade to the Clippers is still in the works and believes, for now, that it would be wise to not be a distraction.

James Harden tells reporters today that the relationship with Daryl Morey can't be repaired: “This is in life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage. … I wanted to retire a Sixer. And the front office didn’t have that in their future plans.”

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 13, 2023

Decisions, decisions

Remember that famous line from now-retired NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, who showed up to Super Bowl media day in 2015 and had just one thing to say about his presence?

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“I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”

That’s the Harden experience at the moment, for the most part. He’s playing ball with the Sixers for two reasons, as he doesn’t want the organization to have the ability to dip into his pockets and he wants to show that he’s ready to roll for the Clippers whenever — and if, ever — Morey decides to send him to his preferred destination.

Harden’s media appearance came with similar themes, as he avoided getting fined by the NBA for not doing his duties on that front while making it clear that nothing has changed about his stance in this sensitive situation. As he made clear, his relationship with Morey that has been the driving force behind his trade request appears irreparable. — Sam Amick, senior NBA writer

Could, or should, Harden play?

The next question here is when we’ll see Harden actually playing in a game. While he took part in training camp in Fort Collins, Colo., he was one of several players who didn’t play in the first two preseason games (both against Boston). The Sixers play another preseason game at Brooklyn on Monday.

So where do things stand on the Harden trade front? Status quo, it seems, with the Sixers holding firm on an asking price that continues to be above what the Clippers can and will provide. As Shams Charania and I reported recently, the Clippers have been trying to gather additional draft assets from teams around the league to increase their offer (which, per Shams, was an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and matching salaries back in July).

The Sixers have been very skeptical of the Clippers’ ability to meet their trade threshold anytime soon, and believe that it would help Harden’s market — and the leverage element in regard to the Clippers — if he played like his former MVP self and reminded other teams that he’s worth pursuing. — Amick

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Backstory

Harden skipped the team’s media day on Oct. 2. Morey said at the time that Harden continues to seek a trade and the Sixers are “working with his representation to resolve that in the best way for the 76ers and hopefully all parties.”

Throughout the summer, the 10-time All-Star reiterated his desire is to not play for the Sixers. He opted into his $35.6 million deal in August for the upcoming season in order for him and the 76ers to work together on a trade out of Philadelphia. Tensions escalated that month when Harden made the “liar” comment about Morey while speaking at a marketing event in China after the Sixers decided to end trade talks.

The NBA subsequently launched an inquiry into Harden’s comments — which he said referred to Morey saying Harden would be traded “quickly” — and fined the player $100,000 for his public trade demands. In turn, the National Basketball Players Association said it would file a grievance regarding the discipline.

Harden averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game last season and helped the Sixers advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, which they lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics.

Required reading

(Photo:  Bill Streicher / USA Today)

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