James Harden to be FORCED to retire? 76ers can end disgruntled superstar’s NBA career if he doesn’t return to team
Philadelphia 76ers have the option to keep James Harden from playing for two years if he refuses to join them for the training camp.
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James Harden (Credit: Bleacher Report)
James Harden is standing firm in his decision to not play for the Philadelphia 76ers again. Despite trade talks ending and the team planning his inclusion in training camp, the former MVP is determined not to attend and aims to leave Philadelphia quickly. He recently criticized Daryl Morey as a liar while in China, adding to their strained relationship.
Amid his Adidas tour in China, Harden appears to be relishing his time and has used the opportunity to communicate his intentions regarding his association with the 76ers. He confirmed that his decision to exercise his player option was primarily aimed at facilitating a trade. The Los Angeles Clippers emerged as his desired destination. However, it seems the Daryl Morey-led front office is adopting a somewhat mocking approach towards his stance.
Harden’s message was unmistakable and direct, as he labeled Morey a ‘liar’. Initially, Morey didn’t extend a long-term maximum contract to Harden after he had taken a pay cut before. And now, with the team aiming to secure their championship aspirations by retaining him, Harden is actively pushing for a departure.
However, Harden’s attempt to transition to another team won’t be straightforward this time. A clause within the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will present significant challenges to his public holdout strategy.
The clause reads, “a player who withholds playing services called for by a Player Contract for more than thirty (30) days after the start of the last Season [of his contract] … shall not be entitled to negotiate or sign a Player Contract with any other professional basketball team unless and until the Team for which the player last played expressly agreed otherwise.”
Harden’s intention to skip the training camp adds a new layer to the situation. According to the clause, if he doesn’t join the Sixers by November 2nd, the franchise can use their right to prevent him from signing with any other team, even in the following summer. This regulation applies exclusively to players in the final year of their contract. Consequently, if Harden persists with his public holdout and neglects the Sixers’ summons, he could potentially face the prospect of sitting out an entire additional season.
If Harden sticks to his plan and the Sixers stay firm, the team has the upper hand. In this case, Harden could be sidelined for two years before playing for another team. However, signing a 36-year-old player in such a situation might not be attractive for other teams.
James Harden’s trade request history
James Harden has become experienced in maneuvering his way out of teams. He used this tactic to leave the Houston Rockets and join forces with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets. He employed the same approach to exit the Nets and reunite with Daryl Morey, his preferred executive, within the Philadelphia 76ers led by Joel Embiid.
After Daryl Morey’s actions affecting his free agency and the subsequent ridicule, Harden faces a challenging path in forcing an exit. The 76ers have dealt with a similar situation before when Ben Simmons successfully orchestrated his departure after a prolonged period of drama. Interestingly, Harden was involved in the trade that sent Simmons to the Nets as part of the exchange.
In this situation, the Philadelphia 76ers hold the upper hand due to the clause, leaving the former MVP with the potential options of retiring or staying off the court for two years if he doesn’t adhere to their timeline. The Sixers, who have substantial demands for a Harden trade, can choose to either gracefully trade him or face a potential influx of drama between the parties.
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Ritik Malik
(1743 Articles Published)