Philadelphia 76ers All-Star, James Harden, seems to be far from at peace with the team’s President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey.
James Harden can't quit hating on Daryl Morey as training camp nears. https://t.co/nzGnkeUT5k
— OutKick (@Outkick) September 28, 2023
Harden’s discontent with the 76ers’ organization became apparent when he requested a trade during the offseason. The team’s front office initially explored potential trades for Harden but ultimately called off the negotiations.
According to Harden, the promise made by Morey and the front office to trade him was unfulfilled after he chose to exercise his $35.6 million option for 2023-24.
During a recent trip to China, Harden publicly expressed his refusal to play for a team that employs Daryl Morey. This stance coincides with the Chinese Communist Party’s disapproval of Morey’s support for Hong Kong’s sovereignty.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of again.”
James Harden just ripped Daryl Morey on his Adidas China tour 😳
(via @XuanwongMilan) pic.twitter.com/R1bdI6jZne
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 14, 2023
As a consequence of his controversial remarks in China, James Harden was fined $100,000 by the NBA.
There are low expectations for Harden’s participation in the upcoming training camp. To exert pressure and facilitate his desired trade, he might resort to extreme measures like wearing his infamous “fat suit” as a means to force his exit from Philadelphia.
However, such actions could prove costly for Harden due to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) guidelines. If he holds out for more than 30 days, the 76ers have the authority to block his free agency status for 2024.
