James Harden opted into his $35.6 million for next season while asking for a trade out of Philadelphia, specifically to the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden thought opting in would help facilitate the trade. It didn’t. Clippers’ management realized they were the lone serious suitor for Harden and chose not to bid against itself, and with that Los Angeles did not come close to Philly GM Daryl Morey’s asking price. Over the summer, there have been a lot of words but little to no actual movement on Harden trade talks.
Now the 76ers have called off talks and intend to bring Harden to training camp, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
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. pic.twitter.com/sJwXMsBYKW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2023
The report was confirmed by Sam Amick of the Athletic, who added that sources close to Harden said he “no longer wants to play for Philadelphia and has no plans of taking part in training camp.”
Not showing up when camp starts Oct. 2 would start down a risky path for Harden that could cost him leverage (the CBA does not allow a player to hold out the final season of his contract and then sign as a free agent with another team). Morey has shown previously (with Ben Simmons) he is willing to play the long game with holdouts.
Of course, this is all part of the game. Morey can say he shut down talks but unquestionably he is open to this being leverage toward more serious trade talks closer to, and after, the start of training camp. The Clippers will still be interested, but in Morey’s ideal situation another team gets in the mix as well.
If Harden does show up for camp, history has shown an unhappy Beard can be a very disruptive force. Make no mistake, Harden is unhappy — a year ago he opted out of his $47.4 million contract with the 76ers, who then used the cap space he created to sign P.J. Tucker, among others. Then Harden re-signed in Philly for “what was left” of the space the 76ers had under the hard cap, $33 million. Harden — who averaged 21 points and 10.7 assists a game last season when healthy — expected to be rewarded for his sacrifice this season, but Morey didn’t see it that way after the team had another early playoff exit and Harden’s game showed signs of slipping. Harden’s challenge is he has no leverage — there is not much of a market for him at $35.6 million this season or the higher salaries he wants down the line. Harden thought he had leverage with Houston interested in him, but that went out the window when the Rockets hired Ime Udoka. That doesn’t change the fact Harden felt disrespected by Philly and asked for a trade to the Clippers, but he needs to play — and play well — to prove to other teams he is worth the money he wants.
Morey is in a difficult spot as well. With Harden and MVP Joel Embiid — not to mention Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and a strong supporting cast — the Sixers are a title contender. Morey would prefer to roll with this roster next season and see what it can do. If Morey trades Harden, he has to get enough back in a deal to keep Philly in contention and Embiid happy.
“Embiid happy” is the most significant part of that, he has already done his own posturing to pressure Morey, which could be read any number of ways. Many teams are watching to see if Embiid becomes unhappy and tries to force his way out of Philly.
The Clippers’ current offer would not keep the Sixers contenders. It is reportedly some combination of veteran expiring contracts (Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington and more) plus a couple of first-round picks — no running mates for Embiid and not enough in the trade package to flip for an All-Star level player. Los Angeles is reportedly hesitant even to put Terance Mann in any deal, and that would be a bare minimum requirement for the 76ers. Frankly, they need more than that.
Morey’s gamble is now to bring Harden to training camp and hope the pressure of playing for his next contract is enough to keep him trying his best and not being disruptive. However, it is a gamble, Harden may not play Morey’s game.
Sixers camp is going to be interesting this year.
