Remember Ben Simmons saga? Know why the James Harden trade deadlock is far from over
The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly ended talks with Los Angeles Clippers over a possible James Harden trade.
James Harden sparked a massive controversy after he called the president of the Philadelphia 76ers Daryl Morey a “liar.” Harden even said that he will not represent the 76ers while Morey remains in charge. The shocking remarks came just days after it was reported that the 76ers had ended trade talks with the Los Angeles Clippers over Harden’s transfer. Ramona Shelburne, ESPN’s NBA insider, feels that this is just the initial phase in Harden’s trade talk saga. Shelburne drew a comparison with how the 76ers had handled their former guard Ben Simmons last year. The management had imposed a fine of more than $19 million on Simmons for not offering his services to the team. Simmons was handed the fine in February 2022.
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“Somebody said to me yesterday, ‘This is only the beginning.’ This is just the beginning of what Harden is going to do to make life very uncomfortable for the Philadelphia 76ers going into training camp. And I think the expectation with Harden is—Ben Simmons, they went through this with Ben Simmons. He didn’t show up to camp, he left money on the table. That’s not going to happen here with James Harden. This is going to be very uncomfortable. Ben Simmons didn’t say anything. Ben Simmons stayed home. It was not loud. This was with a microphone, let me repeat myself. And the phrase I kept hearing was, ‘This is just the beginning,'” Shelburne said.
When asked to share views on his current trade status, James Harden blasted the Philadelphia 76ers president. “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of,” Harden said at a promotional event in China.
It was believed that Daryl Morey played a key role in bringing James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade that saw Ben Simmons move to the Brooklyn Nets in September last year. The move, however, did not pay off much. Despite having Harden and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joel Embiid in the squad, the 76ers had to concede a defeat to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The 76ers crashed out having squandered a 3-2 lead against the Celtics.
James Harden, 33, could not participate in 24 matches last season due to injury. Harden opted to secure his USD 35.6 million player option in June in a bid to facilitate a trade. Despite all the rumours surrounding Harden’s potential trade, the 76ers expect to have the 10-time NBA All-Star guard in their team next season.
James Harden, who wants to move away from Philadelphia this season, has slammed 76ers president Daryl Morey, calling him a liar. In a video, which has now gone viral on social media, Harden was heard criticising Morey amid worsening ties between him and the Philadelphia 76ers over a possible trade. A person present in the crowd at the event in China asked the NBA star, “What do you think about the current team claiming to end trade talks and trying to bring you back to the team?”
Harden’s response was shocking, to say the least. “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said.
James Harden, the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), has worked with Daryl Morey on two occasions. Morey was the general manager of Houston Rockets when Harden joined the side in 2012. Under Morey, the 33-year-old had spent more than eight seasons with the Rockets. Harden also won the MVP when Morey was with the Rockets. After spending nine years with the Houston Rockets, Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. But Harden’s stint at the Nets did not turn out to be quite long-lasting. In 2022, Morey decided to bring Harden to the 76ers in a trade which saw Ben Simmons move to the Nets.
But Harden and Morey’s bonding has been a bit topsy-turvy, since the three-time scoring leader expressed his desire to move to the LA Clippers this off-season. Harden’s lack of interest in representing the Philadelphia 76ers this season is now an open secret. The 76ers reportedly had held talks with the Clippers over Harden’s trade talks but the two sides failed to reach an agreement. ESPN recently reported that the 76ers broke off trade talks and expected Harden to return to the training camp ahead of next season. The pre-season matches for the upcoming campaign is scheduled to begin on October 2.
In the off-season, James Harden had agreed to opt for his USD 35.6 million player option. A lack of long-term maximum-level contract offer is perceived to be the prime reason behind Harden’s conflict with the 76ers. Harden averaged at least 20 points and 10 assists in each of the last three seasons since he left the Rockets two years back. He recorded a league-leading 10.7 assists per game last year. He also led the league in terms of assists. But he was somewhat overshadowed by Joel Embiid. The 76ers crashed out in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.