Former NBA Players Express Fear for 76ers’ James Harden

The last thing a group of former NBA players wants to see is a future legend of the sport end their career on an oddly low note. For former players Matt Barnes and Kevin Garnett, they fear that could be the direction that Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden is headed.

Since 2020, Harden has had his fair share of spats with the organizations he’s played with, which resulted in changes of scenery. Despite starring for the Houston Rockets for nearly a decade, Harden forced his way out to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-2021 season.

A fresh start wasn’t enough to satisfy Harden, though. Amid his second season in Brooklyn, Harden was once again disgruntled and hoping for a trade. Ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, Harden received his wish and reunited with Daryl Morey on the Philadelphia 76ers.

A lot has happened since then. Harden declined his player option for the 2022-2023 NBA season so he could re-sign with the Sixers on a short-term, team-friendly deal to ensure the Sixers had funds to get the right pieces to add to the roster. After playing out the 2022-2023 season, Harden hoped to land a long-term deal to reward him for his financial sacrifice from last summer.

The Houston Rockets were rumored to be in on bringing Harden back. The ten-time All-Star was reportedly torn on heading back to Houston or running it back with the Sixers. In the days leading up to Harden’s player option deadline, the rumored assumption was that Houston pivoted to other prospects, while the Sixers weren’t quite sold on the idea of signing Harden to a long-term deal.

Harden didn’t want to take the gamble in free agency, so he picked up his player option to secure over $35 million for next season. While he remains under contract with the 76ers, Harden hopes to be traded. Once again, the star guard is headed toward a standoff with his team, which leaves Barnes and Garnett worried for his future.

A Word From Former Pros

“James Harden has to be careful because the NBA doesn’t need him,” Barnes said on ‘Certified Smoke.’ “The NBA doesn’t need him no more. I’m all for player empowerment — all of us are for player empowerment — but he forced his way out of Houston, forced his way out of Brooklyn, and now he’s trying to force his way out of Philly. ... He’s going to talk his self out of the league, with his talent, which is crazy to think.”

Kevin Garnett compared the situation to former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.

“Remember when Melo said he wasn’t coming off the bench? He had to go to Portland on some [expletive],” Garnett added. “I thought that was the biggest [expletive] of the league. But it was also the league speaking to Melo. And that humbled him, too, straight up. This is what they finna do to James Harden. At least it feels like it. I think that couple of times you wiggle your way out, you only got about what? One or two wiggles? You ain’t got no infinite.”

Will Harden wiggle his way out of Philly and make it to the Los Angeles Clippers as he desires? So far, there hasn’t been significant movement. The Clippers and the Sixers discussed a deal centered around Harden, but talks were eventually shut down late in the summer.

With training camp coming next week, the Sixers hope Harden returns to the team for a third season as long as the Clippers aren’t coming to the table with a desirable offer. Harden’s plans haven’t been revealed just yet, but it’s been mentioned he hasn’t changed his mind one bit at this point.

Searching for a third trade in three years is certainly a risky game Harden is playing, but the ten-time All-Star has proven in the past that he’s willing to do all he can to get what he wants.