James Harden Trade Rumors: 76ers Could Prevent Star's Free Agency If He Holds Out

James Harden may want a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, but a holdout is not an option.

ESPN's Zach Lowe reported the Sixers could prevent Harden from entering free agency next summer if he holds out for more than 30 days. A provision in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement states a player who "withholds playing services for more than 30 days after the start of the last season covered by his contract" could be held in violation of his contract and prevented from even signing with a team outside the NBA.

Harden opted into his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season with hopes of being traded by the Sixers. The Los Angeles Clippers have been mentioned as a potential suitor, but the trade winds have been quiet to this point.

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey recently said the Sixers will only trade Harden if a deal will allow the team to remain a championship contender.

"If we don't get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player, then we're just not going to do it," Morey told 97.5 The Fanatic. "If James were to turn his mind around, we would all be thrilled. You've heard [Joel Embiid's] comments about that. But at this moment, he prefers to be traded, and we are attempting to honor that."

Harden is attempting to force his third trade since January 2021. He was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets after an ugly back-and-forth in 2021, and then a year later Harden forced himself from Brooklyn to Philadelphia.

The 2018 NBA MVP has shown a willingness to go the extra mile to get his way. When Harden wanted a trade from the Rockets, he was seen partying with rapper Lil Baby in Las Vegas while the remainder of the team was at training camp. When he wanted a trade from Brooklyn, Harden began nursing a hamstring injury.

A full-scale holdout would be a drastic step, but it's one the Sixers are familiar with. Ben Simmons held out the entire 2021-22 season before the Sixers were able to send him to Brooklyn in a deal for Harden.

Ironically, Lowe noted in the same report Simmons was given a year of service time for the 2021-22 campaign as part of negotiations in the new collective bargaining agreement. However, it appears no matter what step Harden takes, he will not be able to enjoy the same result.