76ers' Maxey, Melton React to James Harden Trade

Before the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, head coach Nick Nurse fielded questions about the ten-time All-Star James Harden.

Although Harden was expected to push his season debut back for a third-straight game, Nurse mentioned the star guard was back with the team and planned to return to practice on Tuesday.

It turned out Harden didn’t return to practice at all. Hours before the Sixers were expected to report to practice at the team’s facility in Camden, New Jersey, Harden was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers, ending a multi-month saga once and for all.

At some point this week, the Sixers will welcome four new players to the squad. In exchange for Harden and more, the Sixers are set to receive Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, and KJ Martin.

Harden wasn’t the only Sixer absent from Tuesday’s practice. The team also missed PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev, who were included in the deal. In addition, the veteran sharpshooter Danny Green was waived to create a roster spot for the incoming package.

While the move shakes up the Sixers’ roster three games into the season, it gives the team an opportunity to move on from the Harden saga early as they look to get creative to boost their championship odds for later on down the line.

Although the Harden saga has concluded officially, members of the team expressed some of their closing statements on the subject Tuesday.

Farewell to a Mentor

Tyrese Maxey was among several Sixers throughout the saga to voice his support for Harden. As the ten-time All-Star took a liking to Maxey as soon as he landed in Philadelphia via trade in 2021, Maxey viewed Harden as a mentor. On Tuesday, the young guard revealed he reached out to Harden, once again expressing his appreciation for the former MVP.

“I texted him and told him I love him — told him I appreciate him,” Maxey told reporters on Tuesday. “One thing that he really instilled in me is confidence. I always been a confident person, but he made me even more confident than I already was. I appreciate him for that. He took me under his wing. Taught me a lot of things, just being a professional in this league and how things go. I appreciate him, and I love him.”

Got What They Wanted

De’Anthony Melton, another former backcourt mate of Harden’s, wasn’t invested in the drama this season. Knowing there was a chance he would see his role increased in the possible absence of Harden, Melton looked forward to growing his chemistry with Maxey.

While it was expected that Harden would get moved one way or another, Melton was still in disbelief for a moment.

“Almost, I didn’t believe it,” Melton told reporters.

“I feel like it was just something we needed to do for this team,” he explained. “I think he emphasized where his desires were, and I think as an organization, we got to do what was best for us. I felt like we waited it out to see what was out there and ultimately, hopefully, got what we wanted, and we got players back, and we’re ready to suit up with whoever.”

The Sixers return to the court on Thursday to face the Toronto Raptors. It’s unclear whether the new acquisitions will be suited up or not, but the 76ers will surely look different either way.