NBA Rumors: Why did James Harden call Daryl Morey a liar?
Over the past week, the situation between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers has gotten much uglier than it previously was. With just a few weeks before the start of NBA training camps, there doesn’t appear to be a resolution between both sides on the horizon. In fact, the overwhelming belief is that it will likely get uglier before it gets any better.
It started at the beginning of the summer with the report that James Harden wanted to be traded preferably to the LA Clippers. After not being able to strike a deal with the Clippers, Sixers general manager Daryl Morey decided to officially end trade talks for Harden. The plan was – or is – to carry him on the roster heading into the start of training camp.
Expectedly, that upset Harden. So much so that it pressured him into a response during his China tour. During one of his public appearances, Harden called Morey a liar and said he would never play for an organization that he’s a part of. In other words, he was saying that he was never going to play for the Sixers again.
It was then reported that Morey had not been moved by Harden’s comments and that they wouldn’t change his stance on not trading Harden before the start of the season. Now the two sides are at a bit of an impasse.
Digging deeper into James Harden’s comments
After Harden’s comments, many speculated on why he called Morey a liar. Some believe that Morey had promised Harden to give him a max extension this offseason and then went back on that promise. In the end, though, it doesn’t appear that belief is accurate.
According to a recent report, the belief is that Harden called Morey a liar because of his reversal of stances on trading him before the start of the season. Seemingly, Morey probably gave Harden the “OK” to opt in with the guarantee or promise of trading him before the start of the season. Morey turning back on that plan would fall in line with Harden being upset with him and calling him a liar.
That always seemed like the reason behind all of this and made the most sense. It seems as if that is indeed the case.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t make this situation any easier to resolve for either side. Harden still doesn’t want to be a Sixer and there’s no guarantee Morey will trade him before the start of the season.