NBA Trade Rumors: There is now recent reporting that suggests James Harden would be open to being traded to a non-Clippers team.
The Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden appear at a bit of an impasse. Harden wants to be traded to the LA Clippers but the Sixers have been adamant about not trading Harden just for the sake of it. Philadelphia, which is completely understandable, wants fair value in exchange for Harden. The Sixers didn’t believe they were getting that from the Clippers in trade talks, so they decided to pull the plug completely on them.
In response, Harden has some harsh words during a speaking engagement on his China Tour. In short, Harden made it clear that he didn’t want to play for the Sixers while calling Daryl Morey a liar. Morey is reportedly “unmoved” by Harden’s recent comments and doesn’t plan to change his stance on keeping him on the roster heading into the start of training camp.
Interestingly, it’s now being floated or reported that Harden is open to entertaining possible trades to other non-Clippers teams. He wants off the Sixers so bad that he’s getting to the point where he’d be willing to be traded to a team that isn’t the Clippers.
Which teams could be interested in James Harden?
Again, we should take this report with a grain of salt. Until this gets more largely reported on, it’s mostly speculation. But it does make sense. If Harden is serious about his stance of not playing for the Sixers again, there’s a chance that the Clippers don’t ever make an offer that the Sixers like.
At that point, the Sixers would either send him to LA either way or look for another team that would be willing to take a gamble on Harden for one season. Even though that could prove to be difficult, it’s notable that it would only take one team to beat the lowball offer that the Clippers likely offered Philadelphia.
In fairness, that may never occur. There may not be another team in the NBA that is willing to take a chance on an unmotivated Harden, especially if he ends up on a team that isn’t the Clippers.
Either way, something has to change to break this impasse that the Harden and Sixers find themselves in.
One thing is clear; the Sixers have now become the biggest story with just a few weeks remaining left in the NBA offseason.