James Harden, Joel Embiid, and The Philadelphia 76ers are on their way to meet one of their biggest foes in the Eastern Conference – Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers will visit the 2021 NBA champs in the Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2023. This will mark the two contending teams’ 2023-2024 season-opening matchup. However, Sixers guard James Harden, who has recently been surrounded by multiple controversies, is still leaving fans wondering what his next move would be.
The disgruntled superstar has demanded a trade from the Sixer’s front office after a fractured relationship with the team’s President of basketball operations, Daryl Morey. The 10-time NBA All-Star skipped preseason games as well as opted not to participate in the team’s practice last week due to a “personal matter”. With tension between the 2018 MVP and the Sixers seemingly gradually increasing, what’s next for James Harden? Will he play in the season-opener against the Bucks? Will he even play for the Sixers moving forward?
The 76ers requested James Harden not to fly with the team against the Bucks
On Thursday, two MVPs will collide in Milwaukee. The Sixers’ Joel Embiid goes head-to-head against Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in a preview of a possible Western Conference Finals. However, Philly may be one star down in their first match of the season.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, despite showing up on Tuesday, the 76ers asked James Harden to stay home rather than join the team and travel to Milwaukee. This basically means that the 34-year-old star will not be stepping on the court against the Bucks. The Beard, who has been away from his teammates for more than a week, suddenly showed up with his bags packed, ready to join Embiid and co.
The Sixers are still on the road after the Bucks game as they take on the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. They’ll be back at home the following day, Sunday, and face the Philadephia 76ers. New Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said he was “fine” with the organization’s decision to not let Harden play against the Bucks or the Raptors. While the team is away, Harden is expected to stay in the Sixers’ facilities and train with staff as well as their G-League affiliate in order to prepare him for the upcoming season.
James Harden returned to Philadelphia on Tuesday night with his bags packed to join team on the road for Thursday vs. Bucks and Saturday vs. Raptors, but the 76ers have now asked him not to travel with the team, sources said. https://t.co/N7GONkU6l9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 25, 2023
It’s worth remembering that, back in August, James Harden made headlines after publicly calling Daryl Morey a “liar”. While in China, Harden exposed Morey and has said that he “will never be part of an organization that he’s [Morey] a part of”. Since then, it’s been a back-and-forth drama in Philadelphia.
James Harden: “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/AmHJ0WwbF2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2023
Meanwhile, the Clippers are dialing down on their pursuit of a James Harden trade
The Los Angeles Clippers have been the frontrunner team that has shown interest in James Harden. However, Daryl Morey’s asking price for an aging former MVP seems to be over the top. The Sixers wanted a package that included multiple first-round picks as well as Terance Mann or Paul George. But, with the 2023-2024 season already kicking off, the Clippers are reportedly shying away from the James Harden trade talks.
Reporting for NBA Countdown: With the season starting, the Clippers are stepping back from James Harden trade talks pic.twitter.com/6KqCRqrJls
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 25, 2023
