James Harden Absent from Philadelphia 76ers Practice Amid Trade Talks
James Harden, the star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, was noticeably absent from practice on Wednesday, according to league sources. This absence comes as trade talks surrounding Harden continue to swirl. Here’s what you need to know about the situation:
Harden has not been present with the 76ers since Sunday, missing a shootaround and a win against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. He also did not travel home with the team. It remains unclear when or if Harden will return to team activities as he awaits a trade.
The news of his absence from practice comes just one day after The Athletic reported that the Sixers and the Los Angeles Clippers are still engaged in talks regarding a potential trade for the star guard.
This is not the first time Harden’s desire to leave the 76ers has been made known. Throughout the summer, the 10-time All-Star expressed his desire to be traded to the Clippers and not play for Philadelphia. In August, Harden opted into his $35.6 million deal for the upcoming season, hoping that it would facilitate a trade out of Philadelphia.
Tensions between Harden and the 76ers escalated when he called president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar” during a marketing event in China. This came after the 76ers decided to end trade talks. Harden made it clear that he would “never be a part of an organization that Morey’s a part of.”
As a result of his comments, the NBA launched an inquiry into Harden’s remarks and fined him $100,000 for his public trade demands. The National Basketball Players Association also stated that it would file a grievance regarding the discipline.
Harden’s absence from practice raises questions about his commitment to the team and his future with the 76ers. Last season, he averaged 21 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, helping the team reach the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games.
The ongoing trade saga involving Harden and the 76ers has been a topic of interest for NBA fans and analysts alike. To delve deeper into the timeline of this trade saga, check out The Athletic’s article titled “James Harden-76ers trade saga timeline.”
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the 76ers will handle Harden’s absence and whether a trade will eventually materialize. With Harden set to become a free agent next summer, the clock is ticking for the 76ers to make a move and secure a valuable return for their star guard.
In conclusion, James Harden’s absence from Philadelphia 76ers practice has raised speculation about his future with the team. As trade talks continue, it remains uncertain when or if Harden will return to team activities. The ongoing saga highlights the tensions between Harden and the 76ers organization, as well as the potential for a trade to reshape the team’s roster. NBA fans will be eagerly watching as this situation unfolds in the coming days and weeks.