James Harden NBA future after 76ers airport snub, Clippers decision and U-turn

26 October 2023 , 20:03

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James Harden has had a turbulent 2023 and his trade saga with the 76ers is far from over (Image: Getty)

James Harden will not play in the Philadelphia 76ers' 2023/24 NBA opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, with the former league MVP locked in a bitter trade dispute with the franchise.

Harden, 34, tried to force a trade away from the 76ers in the offseason but a deal with his favoured team, the Los Angeles Clippers, failed to materialise. The NBA star also had some harsh words for Philadelphia chief Daryl Morey, branding him a liar, while also vowing to never play for an organisation where he is.

Harden had limited time with the team during preseason preparations and even spent an extended period in Houston. His mother being taken ill has also caused a further setback.

He shockingly returned to the 76ers' training facilities on Wednesday on the eve of the game but was stopped from travelling with the team their their two-game road trip. According to Bleacher Report, a security official denied him entry to the team's plane.

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Harden's future is an unwanted distraction for head coach Nick Nurse. His team will be taking on the Bucks, who bolstered their starters with the trade of Damian Lillard. They will also have to try and keep two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo quiet.

"My concerns right now are really going to be focused on the game [Thursday] night," Nurse said. "We put a lot into this, and we’re in a great space I think mentally and preparation-wise, all that stuff. That’s what I’ll continue to do.”

Whether Harden plays the season in Philadelphia or secures a trade away is currently undetermined. The Clippers, who have held a strong interest in Harden, have to weigh up whether he is worth the squeeze and that is looking unlikely at this point. Sixers chief Morey has maintained the same position throughout the trade saga: Philadephia will not be dealt the short straw.

The former league MVP was not allowed to travel with his Philadelphia teammates (Getty)

“James is a very good player," Morey said earlier this year. "Right now, unfortunately, he does prefer to be somewhere else. I do have a long relationship with him. I’m attempting to honor that. But the reality is that if we do look at a trade it’s going to be for one of two things.

"It’s either going to be for a player who continues to help us be right there like we were last year, up 3-2 on one of the best teams in the East, the Celtics. Obviously, we didn’t get it done but James was a big part of why we got it to 3-2. Or we’re going to do it for something where we get enough draft picks and things like that in a deal such that we can then turn those into a player who can be a running mate with Joel, as well.

“If we don’t get either a very good player or something that we can turn into a very good player then we’re just not going to do it. If James were to turn his mind around we would all be thrilled… But at this moment he does prefer to be traded and we’re attempting to honor that.”

Joshua Mbu