This really shouldn’t surprise anyone.
James Harden wants out and he isn’t getting what he wants.
Before free agency got started, Harden opted into his contract for next season so he could get traded and the team of his choice, which was the Clippers, and that hasn’t happened yet. And it doesn’t seem like it will because recent reports have suggested that the Sixers have ended trade talks and expect to have Harden back for training camp to start the season.
A day after that report came to light, James Harden made some strong comments about President of basketball operations Daryl Morey. While in China on an Adidas press tour, Harden proclaimed that Morey was a liar and that he’d never play for an organization that he is involved in ever again.
James Harden: “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” pic.twitter.com/AmHJ0WwbF2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2023
The question that was asked to him wasn’t shown in the video but it’s probably safe to assume he didn’t just randomly say that.
This isn’t all that surprising though considering what all has happened over the last year. First, last off season Harden opted out the final year of his contract to help the Sixers build around him and Joel Embiid which they did. Second, it seemed that Harden and Morey had somewhat of a deal that since Harden took a paycut last off season that he would get a long term deal this offseason but that didn’t happen so he opted into the last year of his deal. Third, it also seemed that since Harden opted in, he and Morey would work together to get Harden where he wanted but that again, did not happen and this is where we are now.
It is going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out because the new CBA makes it very hard to sit out and if he does it will kind of be for nothing bc since it’s because of a contract thing, he’d have to do it again next offseason plus the fines will add up very quick.
Here’s the CBA language for Withholding Services:
Withholding services: 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 covered by his Player Contract shall be deemed not to have… https://t.co/EEJkn73LZG
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 14, 2023
It’s going to be a very interesting season for the Sixers.
