Getty Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
With James Harden and Philadelphia 76ers‘ president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, still at an impasse regarding Harden’s trade request, theDallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving questioned Adrian Wojnarowski’s use of the word “disgruntled” to describe Harden.
“Is he Disgruntled Adrian??” Irving, a former teammate of Harden’s, tweeted on August 14. “Or is he holding Darryl Morey accountable for his dishonesty and lack of transparency throughout the contract negotiation process this summer?”
Irving was responding to a Wojnarowski post on X (formerly known as Twitter) containing the ESPN wire services story that reported Harden had called Morey a liar while at an Adidas media event in China. Harden also said he would never play on a Morey-led team again. Harden has been with the Sixers since 2022 and the two were with the Houston Rockets for seven years.
The animosity stems from Harden’s opting in for the final year of his contract in late June and then requesting a trade. On August 12, the Sixers said they would not attempt to try to trade Harden, according to ESPN. On August 13, The Athletic reported that Harden would not be at training camp in October.
Daryl Morey ‘Unmoved’ By James Harden Video: Report
After the video of Harden calling Morey a liar and vowing never to play for him again, Bleacher Report’s Jason Dumas reported that Harden’s words did not change Morey’s stance and that he would remain firm in how he approaches Harden’s trade request.
“Source: Daryl Morey is unmoved by James’ comments. He is holding firm in his stance that he will not trade him unless it makes the Sixers a better team,” Dumas posted on X. “Meanwhile, I’m told James’ agent advised him against making that statement.”
Source: Daryl Morey is unmoved by James’ comments. He is holding firm in his stance that he will not trade him unless it makes the Sixers a better team.
Meanwhile, I’m told James’ agent advised him against making that statement.
Harden will make $35.6 million this year while playing 2023-24 on an expiring contract, making him less appealing as a trade target. Because he has requested a trade to only one team, the Los Angeles Clippers, “there don’t appear to have been any other teams rushing to pony up boffo trade packages and lucrative long-term deals for an about-to-turn-34-year-old with a, shall we say, checkered postseason résumé, why should LA bid against itself?” wrote Yahoo Sports’ Dan Devine on August 14 in a piece about Harden’s comments about Morey. “The problem: Harden didn’t really seem to have any leverage to use to get what he wants.”
Why Sixers Still Refuse to Trade James Harden
On August 12, Wojnarowski reported that the Sixers decided to end trade discussions involving Harden.
“ESPN Sources: The 76ers have ended trade talks on guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for start of the season. The Sixers had periodic offseason conversations with the Clippers — Harden’s desired destination — but no traction on a deal materialized,” Wojnarowski wrote via his personal Twitter.
ESPN Sources: The 76ers have ended trade talks on guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for start of the season. The Sixers had periodic offseason conversations with the Clippers — Harden’s desired destination — but no traction on a deal materialized.
Wojnarowski added that the Sixers aren’t following through with Harden’s request because they believe they can win it all with Harden.
“Sixers and Harden agreed to seek a trade together after Harden picked up his player option for 2023-2024, but Philly believes it has a championship team with Harden and want to find a way to make it work with him this season, sources said.”
Sixers and Harden agreed to seek a trade together after Harden picked up his player option for 2023-2024, but Philly believes it has a championship team with Harden and want to find a way to make it work with him this season, sources said.
Wojnarowski noted that Harden still wants out anyway, despite the Sixers’ efforts.
“Harden has been emphatic in wanting a trade, so the Sixers are setting up an uncomfortable situation to start camp. Ultimately, Philadelphia wouldn’t make a trade that they believed would compromise their title hopes.”
Harden has been emphatic in wanting a trade, so the Sixers are setting up an uncomfortable situation to start camp. Ultimately, Philadelphia wouldn’t make a trade that they believed would compromise their title hopes.