James Harden Rumors: 76ers Star Returns to Team Facility amid Clippers Trade Buzz

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden reported to the team facility Wednesday ahead of Thursday's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Harden was asked not to travel with the team for the matchups with the Bucks and Toronto Raptors.

Harden had been away from the Sixers amid the ongoing saga surrounding his offseason trade request. Wojnarowski previously reported there was a level of uncertainty as to his availability against Milwaukee.

When it comes to his sought-after exit, it doesn't look like there has been much progress. Wojnarowski said Tuesday the Sixers and Los Angeles Clippers are "nowhere close" on a deal.

The 10-time All-Star was bound to show up sooner or later because the alternative was forfeiting a significant—and escalating—chunk of cash. ESPN's Bobby Marks noted he risks incurring a $389,082 fine for every regular-season game he misses without the team's consent.

Of course, fans are well aware of the fact the drama could be far from over. If anything, Harden's presence has the potential to be more disruptive to Philly than his absence would.

Just ask the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets.

Harden effectively forced Houston and Brooklyn's hands by looking checked out on and off the the court. With the Rockets, there was his famous postgame interview when he said the team wasn't good enough anymore. Then came that performance with the Nets against the Sacramento Kings in February 2022, when he shot 2-of-11 from the field and scored four points.

The 34-year-old painted himself into a corner from the moment he picked up his $35.6 million player option. Regardless of his feelings toward Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and the organization as a whole, looking motivated and performing at an elite level is the most straightforward way for him to get his wish, be it a trade to the Clippers or a nice multiyear contract in the offseason.

Based on Harden's approach to this point, though, he's dead set on making things as awkward as possible in Philly, even if it amounts to self-sabotage.

Maybe returning to the team represents a change in strategy, but fans are likely to remain a bit skeptical.