NBA Rumors: James Harden is prepared to play for the 76ers but still wants a trade

NBA Rumors: With the NBA regular season on the horizon, James Harden, somewhat shockingly, is prepared to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. 

When James Harden demanded a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of the offseason, I’m not sure many envisioned that he would still be with the team a couple of weeks out from the start of the regular season. Nevertheless, that’s exactly where things stand for Harden and the Sixers at the moment.

To add more intrigue to this unresolved trade saga, Harden has made it clear that he intends to play basketball. In other words, even if a trade isn’t finalized when the regular season begins, Harden will be in a Sixers uniform.

In that same press availability, Harden also made it clear that his relationship with Sixers general manager is not in a good place and is “broken.” Harden still wants a trade but is willing to begin the season playing for the Sixers if that’s what it takes to get to his desired destination.

What has changed for James Harden?

With news of how Harden was going to make it uncomfortable for the Sixers to have him on the roster at the start of camp to news that he’s now prepared to play for the organization to start the season, it’s amazing how quickly things have shifted.

And you can’t help but wonder if Harden is playing nice guy because a deal could be close. Either way, it’s something to monitor over the next week and a half. If a trade doesn’t happen before the start of the regular season, all signs point to Harden suiting up for the Sixers.

If that does end up being the case, it would be a stark change to where things stood between Harden and the Sixers just a few weeks ago.

I suppose the question now revolves around how patient the Sixers are willing to be when it comes to a potential Harden trade. Would the Sixers be willing to take this all the way through to the NBA Trade Deadline? Would Harden be OK with riding the season out with the Sixers until then?

There are lots of questions that need to be answered and I’m not sure how this is all going to end. But one thing is for sure, it will surely be interesting and entertaining to watch it all unfold over the next few weeks or, perhaps, months.