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James Harden, once again, wants to be traded away from his current team. It’s what brought an end to his time in Houston with the Rockets and Brooklyn with the Nets, and it’s what will ultimately end his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, too.
At the time of this writing, though — Thursday, July 20 — Harden remains a member of the Sixers, which is apparently a situation so untenable for him that reports indicate he’ll do the routine he did in Houston and New York and force his way out of town, possibly even by showing up to training camp out of shape, which he’s been known to do in the past.
And according to a recent report from Yahoo Sports, if Harden doesn’t get the trade he so desires, then he could crack open the troublemaker playbook once again.
“He is also well practiced — from the end of Harden’s tenure in Houston, as well as Brooklyn — in conduct that can drive a team toward relenting and finally moving on from the talented guard. If this saga does drag out through September and until media day on Oct. 2, Harden is expected at this point to report to training camp, according to league sources. You can cause far more headaches for the organization you’re trying to leave by showing up, as opposed to staying home.”
“With both the Rockets and Nets, Harden made various trips away from the team for various nightlife activities. He made Brooklyn feel it had no other option but to trade him to the Sixers before the 2022 trade deadline, or risk losing him for nothing. With Philadelphia, Harden’s side is very much of the belief joining the Clippers is not a matter of if, but when.”
As the report mentions, the 33-year-old Harden — who averaged 21 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds per game last season — seems to be pushing for a move to the Los Angeles Clippers, who finished fifth in the Western Conference last season.