James Harden Could Run up Hefty Tab With Absence From 76ers

On Wednesday afternoon, we got the latest wrinkle in the James Harden-Philadelphia 76ers saga. Days before their final preseason game, it was reported that the disgruntled star skipped out on practice.

James Harden is a no show at Philadelphia 76ers practice today, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Harden has not been present with the team since Sunday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 18, 2023

Instead of showing up at practice, Harden opted to spend his time in Houston. The All-Star guard no-showed because he remains frustrated that a trade hasn't been worked out yet.

Just as he was during the Sixers’ media day, James Harden is in Houston, instead of Philadelphia, for this morning’s team practice, according to league sources. https://t.co/4vSCJEQwjg
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) October 18, 2023

Harden remains frustrated at the lack of progress towards a trade to the Clippers, sources close to him tell ESPN. https://t.co/ikpKaIiLze
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 18, 2023

This is nothing the league or the Sixers haven't seen before. Harden remains focused on getting his wish of being traded to the LA Clippers. As this ordeal continues to drag out, ESPN's Bobby Marks highlighted an interesting wrinkle moving forward.

Harden has stated that he plans on playing for the Sixers but has yet to suit up in a game. If he continues to go MIA, he could rack up a hefty amount of fines. Marks detailed what his fines would look like if he decided not to play.

For starters, Harden could be fined $2,500 for missing practice on Wednesday. That number jumps to $389,082 for every game (preseason and regular season) he is not available.

James Harden could be subjected to a $389,082 fine for every preseason and regular season game he misses without the consent of the team.

The fine would fall under “failure to render services”.

There’s also a minimal fine (starting at $2500)for missing practice.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2023

Harden could skip out and make things ugly for Daryl Morey and the Sixers, but he'd be hurting himself in the process. Morey has shown in the past he has no problems with being patient and waiting for the right deal to go along. If things drag out as long as they did with Ben Simmons, it could be tens of millions of dollars in fines.

As far as the trade front goes, it doesn't appear that a deal will be happening anytime soon. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Sixers and Clippers are still far apart on a potential Harden trade.