In a video that surfaced on Monday morning, James Harden called Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey “a liar.” Harden was speaking to a group of media and fans while on an Adidas press tour in China.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said. “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.”
Harden has asked the Sixers to trade him. Philadelphia and Morey have attempted to fulfill this request, but haven’t found a deal to their liking. The Los Angeles Clippers are where Harden would like to be traded, but talks between the two teams have been termed as “stagnant.”
Harden opted into the final year of his two-year deal with the 76ers ahead of this free agency period. He did so with the idea that it would make it easier for him to be traded. Last week, Morey and the Sixers said they were ending trade talks and the intention was for Harden to report to Philadelphia’s training camp.
On Saturday, news broke that the Philadelphia 76ers were no longer holding trade talks involving James Harden. However, that doesn’t mean Harden intends to play for the Sixers again.
A source close to Harden said that he no longer wants to play for Philadelphia and has no plan of taking part in training camp. Harden continues to want a trade, ideally to the LA Clippers. Harden’s camp continues to believe that a trade will materialize ahead of training camp opening.
Trade talks between the 76ers and Clippers have been stagnant. Philadelphia front officer leader Daryl Morey is continuing to drive a high asking price for Harden. To this point, the Clippers, nor any other team, have been willing to meet that price for the aging guard and his expiring contract.
The Boston Celtics have agreed to sign guard D.J. Steward to a non-guaranteed training camp contract. Steward is expected to compete for the Celtics open two-way spot.
Steward went undrafted out of Duke at the 2021 NBA Draft. He’s spent the last two seasons playing in the G League for the Stockton Kings, with a brief stop in Canada for two games.
The last two offseasons have seen Steward go to summer league and training camp with the Sacramento Kings. This summer, the Duke product played in eight summer league games for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Last season Steward appeared in 45 games for Stockton. The 6-foot-1 point guard averaged 13 points and 4.2 assists in 23.5 minutes per game off the bench.
Spencer Dinwiddie will be eligible for a four-year, $128 million extension starting on Monday.
Dinwiddie is currently in the final year of his contract which will carry a $20.36 million cap hit.
The 30-year-old averaged 16.5 points and 9.1 assists after getting traded to the Nets last season.
