Getty Image / Maddie Meyer
The standoff between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers has taken another interesting turn.
After more than a month of entertaining the idea of trading Harden following his request to be dealt, the Philadelphia 76ers decided earlier this week that they weren’t engaging in trade talks anymore and expected Harden in camp.
Harden didn’t like that.
He went on to publicly call Daryl Morey a liar and is expected to make things uncomfortable for the 76ers the rest of the offseason.
Today it was revealed just how uncomfortable he might make it.
According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, James Harden currently has no plans to take part in training camp for the 76ers.
A source close to James Harden told The Athletic that Harden’s plans have not changed following his mid-July trade request and that he currently has no plans of taking part in the 76ers' training camp.
Harden asked out from Philadelphia in late June:https://t.co/uzmYyFfA9c
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 19, 2023
Vardon’s report states:
“A source close to Harden who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told The Athletic that Harden’s plans have not changed following his mid-July trade request, and that he currently has no plans of taking part in training camp.”
If Harden skips training camp, then things get really interesting.
It was recently reported that there is a rule in the new CBA that would allow the 76ers to keep Harden from entering free agency next offseason.
That has meant that Harden hasn’t had very much leverage since making his trade request and could leave him in limbo for a long time if he doesn’t get things figured out with the Philadelphia 76ers.
It seems he is unfazed by that possibility.
At some point, there is going to be a loser in this situation.
Either the 76ers are going to take less than they want to get rid of Harden or Harden is going to get stuck spending this year and potentially next year with a team that he doesn’t want to be a part of.
Who ends up being the one to lose this standoff will be one of the most interesting storylines in the NBA for the rest of the offseason.