The Sixers and James Harden are on the brink of a standoff after the team withdrew him from the trade market.
A source close to Harden revealed that he is firm in his decision to not play for Philadelphia anymore and has no plans to attend training camp if he remains with the team.
The Sixers have confirmed that they have stopped trying to negotiate a trade involving Harden.
Discussions earlier in the summer with the Clippers, Harden’s preferred destination, did not yield any results.
Executives from other teams were doubtful of Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s sincerity in finding a trade partner for Harden, as he reportedly demanded significant returns, similar to his approach with Ben Simmons in 2021.
Harden, who will be turning 34 soon, had hoped for one last big contract and was looking for a bidding war between the Sixers and Rockets in free agency, but Houston focused on other free agents after hiring Ime Udoka as their head coach.
Instead of testing free agency, Harden opted to pick up his $35.6MM option for the upcoming season and requested a trade, expressing his discontent with the Sixers management.
Training camp is still several weeks away, providing some time for the situation to be resolved, but potential awkward moments are expected even if Harden shows up at camp.
Harden has previously engaged in “staring contests” with both the Rockets and Nets when he desired to leave those teams, and he refused to back down on his trade request.
Despite the ongoing drama, Harden remains a productive player, leading the league in assists last season and contributing in scoring, rebounding, and three-point shooting. The Sixers believe they can contend for a championship with Harden and are not willing to give up that opportunity just to remove him from their roster.
As Harden is in the final year of his contract, his trade value may be limited, and he will likely be available in the free agent market next summer, regardless of how the situation with the Sixers unfolds.
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