The James Harden trade saga finally came to an end with him being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, the destination he had preferred all along.
Meanwhile, during the whole period he was head-to-head with Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations.
Their relationship fell into rocks and lately, it has turned many eyes in the NBA and outside of it as well.
The ten-time NBA All-Star and one of the most highly talented players to grace the NBA court, Harden, remarks about Morey were the tipping point.
Harden felt unjustified as his trade was not moving forward as intended and subsequently, after much happening, he called Morey "a liar" during his China tour. He was adamant in his thoughts and expressed himself in this way.
Amidst the chaos, the NBA also fined Harden $100,000 for his comments on Morey. According to the senior writer Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Morey and Harden earlier shared an amicable relationship as Morey had stated, "James changed my life,"
"He"s one of the all time greats. As time goes on, people will think about him in much more historic terms. What he did to change the game and change the NBA will get recognized more as the Twitterverse and the people who don"t understand how good he is, fade away."
As per ESPN, Harden hasn’t been in contact with Morey for quite some time and he does not want to talk to him in the future either. Regarding the breakdown of their relationship, Harden had shared, "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."
As per Shelburne, "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 and became a free agent at the end of June — essentially, turning Harden into a year-to-year player."
The problems between Harden and Morey started from this point and culminated frustratingly further for both parties. The remarks came from Harden and the guard was then absent from the team"s opening night.
This was the result of the trade that Harden expected in good faith from Morey and their partnership went into murky waters of distrust as the trade was not solidified in time.
Regarding his communication with the organisation of the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden mentioned, "Me and the front office had a very, very good relationship for a decade,"
“There was constant communication.
“[But] there was no communication once we lost."
James Harden told associates he doesn't intend to speak to Daryl Morey ‘ever again,’ per @ramonashelburne pic.twitter.com/X7SaM6BaVi
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 1, 2023
The 76ers are waiving veteran guard Danny Green, sources tell ESPN. Philadelphia needed the roster spot to complete the trade with the Clippers. https://t.co/ZqnoYH5ZiB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
Further trade details: The Clippers are sending a 2027 first-round pick swap to Oklahoma City, clearing way for OKC to move a protected 2026 first-round pick to the 76ers, sources said. The Clippers are sending a 2024 and a 2029 second-round pick to the Sixers in the deal too,… https://t.co/IlIGoEa9Fm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
Nevertheless, the tide has turned positive for the prominent player Harden, as his trade has finally been given a good go and now he is with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he wanted to land. He joins the powerhouses of the Clippers, who have Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, among others.
