USA Today via Reuters
May 1, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) in the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
May 1, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) in the second half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
The James Harden trade saga is starting to get out of hand. While the entire NBA was busy addressing the media and posing for pictures with their new teammates on Media Day, James Harden was nowhere to be found. Due to the ongoing drama between Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, the NBA world had already foreseen this happening. The Beard picked up his $34,320,000 player option for next season and demanded to be traded from Philadelphia this summer.
The 76ers did not adhere to Harden?s demands and announced that the former MVP would return to training camp. But Philadelphia?s problems are far from over. According to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, James Harden is ready to make things ?Uncomfortable? in Philadelphia.
James Harden wants his trade by any means necessary
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The Philadelphia 76ers are all set to start training camp in hopes of making a run for the NBA Championship next season. James Harden, however, has other plans. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden is adamant about getting traded from Philadelphia and will get his wish one way or the other. ?James Harden wants a trade. He wants to make the 76ers uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, ultimately, they don?t think they?ll get the best out of him and make a trade.? Woj revealed.
James Harden is on the way to Sixers training camp with intentions of making a scene, per @wojespn:
?James Harden wants a trade. He wants to make the 76ers uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, ultimately, they don?t think they?ll get the best out of him and make a trade.? pic.twitter.com/SItHzKXscx
? Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 3, 2023
James Harden made it clear during his trip to China this summer that he did not want to play in a team that has any association with Daryl Morey. The Philadelphia 76ers President made a few promises to the 10-time All-Star regarding his trade request but was unable to follow through on them. Harden wanted to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and play alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. But Daryl Morey could not find a satisfactory trade package to make the deal happen. According to Woj, the former MVP plans to intentionally sabotage his season so that the 76ers are left with no option but to trade him.
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James Harden?s plans might backfire on him
James Harden has already faced minor consequences for his actions this summer. The NBA fined Harden $100,000 after he publicly called Daryl Morey a liar and hinted at not performing his duties as a player of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Former MVP might get in trouble once again as he plans to intentionally make things ?Uncomfortable? for the 76ers and force them into trading him. The league might look at Harden?s plans as a breach of his contractual obligations, and he might face severe consequences.
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Harden is 34 years old and is not the MVP-caliber player he once was in Houston. The NBA might not tolerate his antics the way they did when he was one of the best players in the league a few years ago. The Beard needs to be extremely careful with the way he handles his situation in Philadelphia because one wrong move could prove disastrous for his storied NBA career.
Watch This Story: After Ditching 76ers? Media Day, $165M Rich James Harden Set to Be Slapped With a Hefty 6-Figure Fine
