18 August 2023 , 15:59
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James Harden believes it is too late to repair his relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers and team president Daryl Morey after the 10-time All-Star launched an astonishing rant earlier this week.
The point guard has been desperate to seal a trade away from the organisation after a disappointing playoff exit in May, and he was left raging last week when trade talks between the Sixers and the Los Angeles Clippers broke down, leaving Philadelphia to confirm plans to reintegrate Harden to the roster over the coming weeks.
However, his place with the team is surely untenable after he blasted Morey's handling of the situation, branding him a "liar" and vowing he would never work for him again. Those comments were made during an Adidas media tour of China, and the 33-year-old has since returned home to Texas, but he has doubled down on his stance.
Speaking to KHOU, Harden was asked if it was too late to repair his relationship with the Sixers' front office. "Uh, I think so," he replied. He added: "I've been patient all summer, so for me, it's to focus on what I can control and that's working out and staying in shape and getting ready for a good season."
Harden is under contract with Philly through the 2023/24 season after exercising his $35.6million (£28m) player option before June's deadline. Despite an excellent career, Harden's market was surprisingly tepid this summer, with his former team the Houston Rockets deciding against a reunion, signing former Toronto Raptors playmaker Fred VanVleet instead.
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Therefore, Harden committed to the player option to guarantee his salary for next season, but he and the team were still working towards a trade elsewhere. The Clippers emerged as strong contenders to strike a deal for his services, but negotiations met an impasse and both parties have walked away from the table.
James Harden has been slammed after calling a 76ers chief a 'liar'Harden pulled no punches when asked about the news that his move to Philly was off. He said: "Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organisation 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 organisation that he’s a part of."
Harden is on course to hold out from pre-season activities ahead of the new campaign in hope of forcing through a move elsewhere, something he successfully did to navigate his way out of Houston and the Brooklyn Nets.
However, he may not have the amount of leverage he thinks he has this time due to rules in the depths of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which could prevent him from becoming a free agent if he refuses to play for the Sixers.
For now, Harden's future is decidedly uncertain. It seems inconceivable at this stage that bridges can be rebuilt with the Sixers, but there are also major question marks about the market out there for him as he tries to plot an exit route.