21 August 2023 , 22:25
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James Harden could leave the NBA to play in China with the league investigating him.
The Ringer's CEO and friend of Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey, Bill Simmons, has stated that Harden could look to leave the league after having strong words for his team's boss.
The NBA is investigating Harden and the Sixers themselves after the All-Star guard's controversial claims about Morey - with the league looking into whether either party has violated their guidelines.
Harden had twice publicly labelled Morey a "liar" during a promotional appearance for Adidas in Shanghai.. He went on to state that he will " never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of."
Harden even doubled down on those comments days later, and stated his relationship with Morey is beyond repair.
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Speaking on his podcast, Simmons said: "I wouldn't bet on this, but I think there's a 20-1 chance I can see Harden in China next year. I'm serious.
"I don't think he's getting anything anywhere near what he thought he'd get from China, and he'll just say 'I'll go to China, get a huge cheque from them, then maybe February/March I'll come back and play in the NBA and double dip'.
"(David) Jacoby thought he was two (years) for $40m, I don't see it. I think the only reason Kyrie got that money was because Dallas was so committed to that terrible trade and they had no choice. What are you going to do? You have to trade Luka, Kyrie is some sort of asset and you just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope it works out."
James Harden signed a one-year $35.6 million player option with the Philadephia 76ers in June (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)Harden could be suspended by the league should the investigation find of any wrongdoing, and he could spend that time playing in China.
Harden had spent 10 years with Morey with the Houston Rockets, before he traded for the superstar guard once again last year - when he sent Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets for Harden.
Harden had been strongly linked with a return to the Rockets, but any likelihood of that move quickly dissipated when the team signed Fred VanVleet from the Toronto Raptors.
The Los Angeles Clippers are reporter to have begun trade talks with Philadelphia, but no details have yet emerged. Harden is also said to be keen on signing with the team - potentially reuniting with Russell Westbroo k.