August 12, 2023
UPDATE [Sunday, 10:20 a.m.] – Soon after it was reported that the Sixers had ended James Harden trade talks, The Athletic's Sam Amick followed up, citing a source, that the veteran guard still has no interest in staying in Philadelphia, much less reporting to camp in a couple of months' time.
Team president Daryl Morey's stance throughout has been that he won't trade Harden unless the Sixers receive a quality return that keeps their title hopes alive, but so far, that's gotten neither party anywhere.
The situation between Harden and the Sixers is starting to feel a lot like the Ben Simmons saga from 2021 (and early 2022), which ironically, ended with Philly landing Harden in a blockbuster deal, yet only to end up here.
EARLIER...
A James Harden trade doesn't look any closer to happening any time soon.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers have ended trade talks on the 10-time All-Star guard and are planning to have him back for the start of training camp, though that will be to whatever detriment might lie ahead.
Sixers and Harden agreed to seek a trade together after Harden picked up his player option for 2023-2024, but Philly believes it has a championship team with Harden and want to find a way to make it work with him this season, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2023
The summer went by, however, with little to no progress – despite plenty of rumors – and with interest from potential suitors (i.e. the Clippers) reaching a total standstill, both Harden and the Sixers have been left facing what's becoming an increasingly uncomfortable situation.
According to Wojnarowski, there is still belief among club president Daryl Morey and the Sixers that they can salvage this and run back their title hopes one more time with Harden if they have to, but fans wouldn't exactly be thrilled about that prospect following yet another playoff failure and with the knowledge that, in the past, Harden has been very good about forcing teams' hands into eventually getting what he wants (see his exits from Houston and then Brooklyn).
An interesting next couple of months are likely ahead, though probably not in a way that's going to be any fun for Philly.
Follow Nick on Twitter: @itssnick
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
