NBA All-Star James Harden drops HUGE UPDATE on future with the 76ers⁩

James Harden has explicitly expressed his desire not to continue playing with the 76ers and has stated that he will not attend the training camp.

NBA All-Star James Harden drops HUGE UPDATE on future with the 76ers⁩

James Harden (Credit: Bleacher Report)

James Harden took a $15 million pay cut from the 76ers prior to last season to ensure they could sign more rotation players, like PJ Tucker, in an effort to boost their championship aspirations. However, the 76ers once again fell short in the second round, primarily due to the underperformance of their star duo: MVP Joel Embiid and Harden himself.

Harden accepted the pay cut based on a promise from the Sixers’ front office, assuring him of a long-term max contract. Despite this, following another disappointing season, Sixers GM Daryl Morey declined to offer James Harden a max deal. Consequently, Harden chose to exercise his player option and requested a trade from the 76ers. His preferred destination became the Los Angeles Clippers, where he could join forces with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook.

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Harden’s decision to opt into his player option stemmed from his reluctance to continue playing for the Sixers. However, recent developments have taken a different turn: the 76ers have halted trade discussions with the Clippers and intend to reintegrate Harden into the team for the upcoming season. Despite this change, Harden has made it unequivocally clear that he no longer desires to represent the 76ers and has no intention of participating in their training camp.

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Harden’s past experiences with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets indicate his ability to achieve his desires. The unfolding of events will reveal how Harden navigates this challenging predicament.

Also Read:Kyrie Irving gives BRUTALLY honest response to questions about teaming up with LeBron James in LA

How James Harden previously forced trades from Houston and Brooklyn?

How James Harden forced his way out of Houston and Brooklyn
James Harden (via Golf Digest)

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Harden as the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. From the outset, doubts surrounded him due to his perceived lack of athleticism. However, he silenced his critics by playing a crucial role in guiding OKC to the 2012 NBA Finals. Subsequent to this achievement, his value to the Thunder waned. In contrast, Daryl Morey, who served as the GM of the Houston Rockets at the time, recognized Harden’s potential and orchestrated a trade to bring him to Houston, where he became the cornerstone of the franchise.

In 2012, Harden transitioned to the Rockets, transforming into the MVP-caliber franchise player that would define his legacy. Despite encountering multiple opportunities to secure a championship, his prime coincided with the dominance of the Golden State Warriors dynasty, hindering his prospects. Despite the presence of esteemed teammates like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Dwight Howard during his tenure, Harden failed to achieve success with the Rockets beyond the 2020 season. With Morey stepping down from his role as GM, Harden’s vision for success with Houston dimmed, leading him to request a trade.

Houston’s stance on the matter was resistant, seeking significant assets from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Harden. However, Harden exhibited his displeasure by arriving late and out of shape for training camp. This behavior compelled the Rockets to reconsider their position, ultimately trading Harden to the Nets. The move was prompted by the absence of Westbrook and Harden’s status as an asset consuming a substantial portion of their salary cap space, rather than his status as a cornerstone player.

After his trade to the Nets in 2021, Harden spent just one year with the team. He grew frustrated with the situation in Brooklyn, as he had anticipated playing alongside two superstars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, Durant dealt with injuries, and Kyrie missed a significant portion of the 2021 season due to vaccination non-compliance. These circumstances angered Harden, leading him to depart the Nets for the 76ers, where he aimed to reunite with Daryl Morey. Yet, he now finds himself facing another challenging situation with the 76ers. It remains intriguing to observe where Harden’s next destination will be.

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