James Harden Rumors: 76ers Star a 'Positive Participant' at Practice Amid Trade Buzz
One of the storylines of the NBA offseason has been the future of Philadelphia 76ers point guard James Harden, who by all accounts is seeking a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.
That led to questions about whether he'd be a source of distraction in training camp and the season to come, though so far that reportedly hasn't been the case.
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Shams Charania, "Multiple sources with knowledge of Harden's two practice sessions say he has been an engaged and positive participant."
A brief summary on how we've gotten here: Harden decided this offseason he wanted to be traded and surprisingly opted into his $35.6 million player option. Awkwardness has ensued.
As for why he made that decision, the prevailing theory is that he took stock of his potential earning potential in free agency, decided that other teams—including the Sixers—weren't going to offer him a max deal, took his player option to lock in that guaranteed money and pushed for a move to his hometown Clippers, annoyed at Philly for potentially balking at making a max offer after he took a discount last summer to help facilitate the free-agent signings of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House.
Harden has gone to great lengths to make his discontent with the Sixers and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey known this summer, going so far as to call him a liar. Given Harden's history of forcing trades—and his methods for doing so—there were major questions about how much of a distraction he might be once rejoining the Sixers.
Showing up to training camp at all is clearly a financial decision, ensuring he won't be docked any of that $35.6 million contract.
But Amick and Charania also reported that "league sources say Harden also is taking part because he remains hopeful that a trade to the Clippers is still in the works and believes, for now, that it would be wise to not be a distraction. And the Clippers, league sources say, are going to great lengths to make it happen."
Those great lengths reportedly include the Clippers "talking to several teams about ways to move pick swaps for additional draft capital with the intention of bolstering their offer and getting a deal done," with the Sixers reportedly seeking Terance Mann and several first-round picks in any Harden deal.
It remains to be seen if such a trade will get across the finish line. For now, Harden and the Sixers are playing nice. But that could change quickly if this showdown lingers into the regular season.
