NBA Insider reveals that the relationship between James Harden and 76ers owner Daryl Morey has "essentially fractured throughout this process."
James Harden is not happy with the 76ers. Harden was reportedly "unnerved" by how the team handled his potential free agency. Harden believed Philly had no intention of giving him a long-term deal. This summer, James Harden opted into the final year of his contract for $35.6 million and now demands a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.
"The relationship between James Harden and Daryl Morey is essentially severed, it's essentially fractured throughout this process." NBA insider Shams Charania reported on "The Rally" on Monday.
Last season, Harden took a pay cut and in return helped the 76ers bring in more guys like P.J Tucker and Danuel House Jr. This offseason, Harden was eligible for a max contract. However, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, "…The Sixers are not really motivated to pay him that max salary if they don't think anybody else is going to do it."
The star guard's trade request has significantly impacted James Harden and Philadelphia 76ers' President Daryl Morey's relationship.
"There's no longer that valve of open-minded, open-ended trust that we've seen over the course of 692 games that Daryl Morey and James Harden have been together in Houston and in Philly.," Shams said.
76ers: The Saga of James Harden and Darly Morey
Our story begins in 2012, when Morey traded for Harden. The two spent eight seasons together in Houston, where Harden blossomed from sixth-man into one of the NBA's premier scorers. Then, in 2020, when Harden wanted out of Houston, Morey sent Harden to Brooklyn, his preferred destination.
Later on, Morey resigned from Houston and became President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. After a season with the Nets, Harden wanted out. As a result, during the 2021 season, the pair reunited in the city of Brotherly Love.
While many believed the duo of Embiid and Harden would be enough firepower to bring Philadelphia an NBA Championship, things haven't quite panned out for the 76ers. After another disappointing postseason, 76ers fans may need to prepare to begrudgingly "trust the process" yet again.