When James Harden was not allowed to board the Philadelphia 76ers’ flight to Milwaukee last week, it “inflamed the situation on both sides,” sources tell ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
One source described the situation as the “final straw” on the possibility of the Sixers reincorporating Harden into the team. Discussions between the Sixers and Clippers picked up again to agree to a trade before Harden could play for Philadelphia again.
Harden returned to practice on October 25th, but sources say the Sixers didn’t know what to make of it. They were unclear if he would try to exert pressure on the Sixers or if he was preparing to play in earnest.
The Sixers started the season 2-1 without Harden while Tyrese Maxey played well enough to be named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
James Harden hasn’t spoken with Daryl Morey in months and he’s told associates he doesn’t intend to speak to him ever again, sources tell ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Harden sought a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers since June and finally succeeded this week when he was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. As Harden sought an exit, he publicly called Morey “a liar,” which spoke to his level of frustration with the executive he had a close bond with dating back to his trade to the Houston Rockets in 2012.
According to league sources, Harden and his camp became convinced Morey only intended to offer him a two-year deal, with a team option on the second season if he declined his $35.6 million player option.
The Sixers insisted they would make him a strong offer as soon as they were allowed to.
Harden was skeptical and decided to opt in to preserve his Bird rights and ask for a trade. Harden believed it would happen quickly, which led to his “liar” comments.
The Philadelphia 76ers are not expected to be penalized by a potential violation of the new player participation policy with James Harden, sources told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
The NBA, which concluded its investigation, was looking into a potential violation over last Thursday’s game between the Sixers and Bucks.
Harden was traded to the Clippers on Monday night.
The Philadelphia 76ers have exercised the fourth-year contract option on Jaden Springer for the 2024-25 season.
There was some speculation that the Sixers could decline the option to maximize their available cap space for the 2024 offseason.
Originally selected with the 28th overall selection of the 2021 NBA Draft, Springer, 21, has appeared in 20 games across two-plus NBA seasons. Springer has averaged 2.3 points on 47.5 percent shooting in 20 career games.
A native of North Carolina, Springer boasts career averages of 17.2 points (48.0% FG), 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 43 games (42 starts) with the Delaware Blue Coats – Philadelphia’s G League affiliate.
