76ers’ Josh Harris Addresses James Harden Trade Saga

The Philadelphia 76ers are no strangers to multi-month trade sagas. Just two summers ago, the Sixers were gearing up to enter training camp with an All-Star holdout in Ben Simmons. Once again, they could be doing the same, with James Harden in the disgruntled players’ seat.

At this point, a few primary people involved have dished out their thoughts on the situation. Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey mentioned that he understands Harden’s frustrations and confirmed that he was willing to work on a trade for the right price earlier in the offseason.

As for Harden, he made it clear he understands the business mindset of NBA front offices, but he felt slighted this summer and went as far as calling out Morey for allegedly being dishonest. Some of Harden’s teammates made their thoughts public, including Joel Embiid, Paul Reed, PJ Tucker, and Patrick Beverley.

And recently, Sixers’ Managing Partner Josh Harris addressed the situation, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

“Listen, we’re hard at work,” Harris, the new primary owner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders, said Monday afternoon before the Commanders-Ravens preseason game. “I respect James. I want to, obviously, accommodate what he wants. At the same time, I have to think about a championship-contending team, what we can get back. I’d love to convince him to stay. I understand that that’s not what he wants to do right now.

…

I’m going to keep working to resolve it in a way that everyone can live with and is positive for everyone, whatever that resolution is. … I respect him as a basketball player, and as a person. It’s back to, these are, you’re dealing with people, right? And you’ve got to be there. We’ll see where it comes out.”

Since the conclusion of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, top figures in the front office made it clear that they wanted James Harden back for another run with Embiid and the 76ers. The fact that Philadelphia hopes Harden changes his mind and returns to the team in October doesn’t come as a shock.

But at this point, Harden’s feelings are known and it’s not a great scenario for the Sixers. Not only did Harden mention he’s unwilling to play for a Morey-managed team, but he’s under the belief that his relationship with the organization is beyond repair.

The NBA has watched a similar scenario play out for Harden on multiple occasions in the past. Both times, Harden eventually got his way and was sent packing. Soon, we’ll see if Harden goes 3-3 in trade requests or if the Sixers are able to break the trend.