The James Harden trade is slowly reaching a dead end which isn’t a good thing for either of the parties involved. After a long pause during the off-season, things finally picked up pace in the month of September. However, the movement has been very minimal. The Philadelphia 76ers are currently making their preseason run. They’re coming off two consecutive losses against the Boston Celtics during which neither of their stars were present.
Before the start of training camp, the 10x All-Star was a no-show during media day. And it didn’t seem like he was interested in participating with the team for any reason. But Harden eventually caved and decided it was in his best interests to hold off the ill feelings for a bit. He was all smiles during training camp according to multiple sources. It was evident that Harden had nothing against his Sixers associates besides General Manager Daryl Morey.
James Harden putting in work during the Sixers training camp pic.twitter.com/lnL9oyHde0
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) October 8, 2023
Their bad blood stemmed from a botched backdoor deal after Morey convinced James Harden to sign his $35.6 million player option. He was promised that he would be traded to the LA Clippers but Morey simply failed. The Sixers and Clippers have been trying to work out a deal. However, nothing has materialized and Harden remains on the Sixers’ roster.
The Clippers are unwilling to comply with Daryl Morey’s requests for James Harden
Los Angeles has been trying to maneuver through a similar gameplan of the Miami Heat’s while they tried to acquire Damian Lillard. They’ve been trying to wait it out for the Sixers but this may backfire against all sides. The Clippers have offered the Sixers a deal including a first-round pick, a first-round pick swap, and a couple of expiring contracts. These expiring contracts are probably the ones of Robert Covington and Marcus Morris. It doesn’t seem like the Clippers want to give up anybody else.
“The Clippers want to get a deal done soon. They’re offering a first-round pick, a draft-pick swap, and expiring contracts for the 2018 MVP and three-time scoring champion. And a source said Los Angeles doesn’t want to raise their offer. The source says Morey is the one holding up the deal,” said Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia wants Terence Mann included in the package, however, he’s deemed an “untouchable” player.
The Clippers have offered the Sixers a 1st round pick, a draft-pick swap, and expiring contracts for James Harden, per @PompeyOnSixers.
Morey is reportedly the “one holding up the deal.” pic.twitter.com/1Zr7XAONvg
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 15, 2023
Both sides are hoping that the other will cave in and accept whatever asset is included. But if this goes on for long, chances are it may get carried on until the trade deadline. James Harden will not have a choice but to participate with Joel Embiid and the Sixers during the regular season.