NBA Rumors: It’s official. Now that Media Day is underway for the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden is a no-show.
With much of the attention this summer on Damian Lillard, it was easy to forget that James Harden is the other superstar who demanded a trade from his incumbent team. Harden’s situation is a bit more complicated than Lillard’s but it’s not that much of a surprise that he decided not to show up as training camp opens for the Sixers.
At the start of the offseason, shortly after opting into the final year of his contract with the Sixers, it was reported that Philly and Harden would work together toward a trade. It slowly became apparent through various reporting that Harden didn’t only want a trade but he wanted to be moved to the LA Clippers.
After talks between the Clippers and Sixers broke down toward the end of the offseason, it was reported that Sixers general manager Daryl Morey was prepared to carry Harden on the roster into the season.
As you would expect, that didn’t sit well with Harden. Things continued to get ugly between Harden and the Sixers, and now he is not present for the team’s media day.
If it wasn’t evident before, it’s clear that Harden still wants a trade (and probably to the Clippers).
ESPN Sources: In what’s expected to be a continued attempt to push for a trade, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden isn’t in attendance for the team’s media day today. Harden remains upset that the organization hasn’t moved him to the Clippers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 2, 2023
What’s the next move for James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers?
It’ll be interesting to see what the next move is for both Harden and the Sixers. Will Harden continue to stay away from the team as a protest? When training camp practice officially begins will Harden continue to not report? If he doesn’t, he opens himself up to fines.
For the Sixers, do they continue to allow this situation to be a distraction that they really don’t need? How will the rest of the players on the roster react and discuss Harden’s absence from the start of training camp?
Will the Sixers feel forced to reopen trade discussions for Harden, when they clearly cut those off? Or would they have the bravery to call Harden’s bluff?
There are so many different paths that can be taken next, but it’s extremely hard to predict. It seems that both Morey and Harden have stuck their ground here. It may come down to which side blinks first.
At this point, I have a hard time believing that Harden will ever play for the Sixers again. But, with the season about to begin, who knows how this all ends?