James Harden says relationship with Sixers front office cannot be repaired
James Harden, ahead of his 15th NBA season, has recently commented on his relationship with the front office of the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden stated that it is damaged beyond repair, and that the trust he once had with the team's management cannot be restored.
Harden and Sixers team president, Daryl Morey, have a history going back to their time together at the Houston Rockets. As reported by The Athletic, James Harden and Daryl Morey had a public feud that led to a huge fallout.
This happened after Morey promised to trade Harden quickly when he opted into the final year of his contract. The Philadelphia 76ers agreed to search for a trade as requested by Harden after he agreed to pick up his $35.6 million player option in June.
Despite the Sixers' efforts to trade James Harden, no team was willing to meet the steep asking price. This ultimately led to the Sixers' to end trade talks involving the 10-time All-Star guard. Harden expressed anger over the decision, stating that it broke his trust with the 76ers front office.
“This is not even about this situation, this is in life. When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage. You lose trust in someone, you know what I mean? It’s pretty simple,” Harden said to reporters after practice on Friday.
#Sixers PG James Harden said he had a relation with the front office (not referring Daryl Morey by name) for 10 years. Asked if he thinks it can repaired, Harden said, “No.” Then he explains why: pic.twitter.com/iTIlktx5Z1
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 13, 2023
Will James Harden play for the 76ers?
Another factor in Harden's dissatisfaction with Morey was the lack of a long-term maximum contract offer expected for the star. In fact, Harden expressed his desire to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers for the long term and even retire with the team at the age of sixty.
“When I got traded here, my whole thing is I wanted to retire a Sixer,” Harden said. “The front office didn’t have that in their future plans.”
Despite Harden previously saying that he would not play, he has been practicing with the 76ers, and new head coach Nick Nurse expects him to play against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
“My plan is to play basketball, yes for sure,” Harden said.
Harden averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds last season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
James Harden: “When I got traded here, my whole thing is I wanted to retire a Sixer. I wanted to be here and retire a Sixer. And the front office didn’t have that in their future plans.” pic.twitter.com/YC7NPyoLvK
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 13, 2023
NBA: Sixers want James Harden to play in a preseason game before the season
Harden comments about Morey
The strained relationship between Harden and Morey became public knowledge after Harden made a remark at a marketing event in China, stating that he would never join an organization with Morey again because he felt that Morey was dishonest. Morey is currently the president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden was fined $100,000 for his comments about Morey by the NBA for indicating that he would only perform his player contract obligations if traded to another team.
James Harden on his China tour: “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. 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.” 😳 pic.twitter.com/oaqVjXkax6
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) August 14, 2023
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/j3VZLxgXA5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 22, 2023
NBA Basketball: James Harden fined over comments that included calling 76ers' Daryl Morey 'a liar'
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Harden plans to play for 76ers despite 'irreparable' rift