Doc Rivers: James Harden Opting Into 76ers Contract Signaled 'Trouble in Paradise'
James Harden's continued employment with the Philadelphia 76ers, despite a summer in which he tried to force his way to the Los Angeles Clippers, remains one of the NBA's most enduring storylines heading into the 2023-24 season.
And his former head coach, Doc Rivers, offered some insight into the situation during an appearance on ESPN's NBA Today (1:11 mark):
"I don't know if I saw it coming because I did think that they would all figure it out. But obviously, once you saw James opt in, you knew there was trouble in paradise. You just knew that. I believe he believed that he was going to get taken care of at some point. He didn't, and he's upset by it. And then the Sixers are thinking more team-wise and future-wise in what they want to do. So it's a tough situation, and I would be surprised if it's resolved unless there's a trade."
By now, you probably know how this all apparently unfolded. Harden reportedly took a discount last season to help facilitate the signings of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House in pursuit of a title, all in the belief that a max deal would come his way this summer.
But perhaps because of his age or because of his disappearing act in Game 7—or maybe both—the Sixers balked at offering him that type of long-term money, keeping themselves financially flexible going forward.
And so Harden opted into his $35.6 million player option for the season, surprising everyone, and requested a trade to the Clippers. When that didn't happen, he publicly called Daryl Morey a liar while doing a promotional event for Adidas in China, earning him a $100,000 fine.
Harden, 34, has since reported to training camp and all has seemingly been honky-dory between him and the team. But Harden has forced midseason trades out of the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets in the past—this situation seems likely to have more twists and turns ahead.
On the court, Harden and defending MVP Joel Embiid formed a lethal offensive partnership, outscoring opponents by nine points per 100 possessions while on the court together last season, per NBA.com.
Those days are numbered. For now, all is quiet, but it still seems likely that Harden will eventually be playing for the Clippers—or some other mystery team—once Morey finds a deal that makes sense for all involved.
