James Harden Rumors: Star Expected to Report to 76ers Camp amid Trade Request

After skipping Monday's media day as he continues to wait for a trade, James Harden is expected back with the Philadelphia 76ers very soon.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden is expected to arrive at Colorado State University where the Sixers are holding training camp as soon as Tuesday.

Wojnarowski noted Harden wasn't at the Sixers' first practice session on Tuesday. The former NBA MVP has made it clear he doesn't want to play for Philadelphia anymore because of a strained relationship with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey.

Despite the possibility of Harden potentially making things uncomfortable for the 76ers, ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted they are hoping "they can get Harden to come back and take part alongside them" in camp and the regular season until a potential deal materializes.

Bontemps also reported the Sixers have paid out 50 percent of Harden's 2023-24 salary already, with his first 25 percent payment received on July 1 and the second 25 percent payment given out on Friday.

76ers guard Tyrese Maxey addressed the possibility of Harden showing up for training camp after the team practiced on Tuesday:

It hasn't been clear since Harden made his initial trade request over the summer if he would be at training camp. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Aug. 12 the 10-time All-Star "has no plans of taking part in training camp."

Regardless of Harden's desire to play for another organization, it's in his best interest to play ball with the 76ers right now.

Jasmyn Wimbish of CBS Sports noted the NBA collective bargaining agreement allows teams to block a player in the final season of his contract from becoming a free agent if they hold out for more than 30 days and don't get traded at any point during the season.

Of course, just because Harden reports doesn't mean things are going to be copacetic between him and the organization.

On the No Cap Room podcast (h/t Justin Grasso of SI.com), Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer said the Los Angeles Clippers "definitely want" Harden," but they haven't offered Philadelphia more than one first-round draft pick in return.

Morey has been adamant that Philadelphia won't trade Harden for any package that doesn't allow the team to maintain its short-term title chances.

Harden has appeared in 79 games with the 76ers over the past two seasons. He averaged 21.0 points and an NBA-high 10.7 assists per contest in 58 starts during the 2022-23 campaign.