Report: James Harden's 2023-24 Team Coming Into Focus

Ben Simmons tried this with Daryl Morey a few years back, and we all know how that went. Now James Harden is demanding a trade out of Philadelphia, and according to an ESPN Insider, the odds are greater right now that Harden actually STAYS in Philly than receiving his trade wish. 

There’s a good chance James Harden stays with Philadelphia, per @mcten

“I was speaking to a bunch of folks about this Sunday evening. The signals right now is that he will be back with the Philadelphia 76ers...as of right now, with no momentum appearing on a deal with the Los… pic.twitter.com/39B0cOFThx

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 11, 2023

Dave McMenamin said on the Dan Patrick Show, “I was speaking to a bunch of folks about this Sunday evening. The signals right now is that he will be back with the Philadelphia 76ers...as of right now, with no momentum appearing on a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia still needing what [Harden] does without finding a replacement for him, it looks like there’s a pathway for him to come back to the Sixers next year.” 

MVP Joel Embiid is on record stating that he hopes Harden changes his mind about leaving Philly, and Patrick Beverley, who recently signed with the Sixers as a free agent, has his own message for Harden: 

“One of my decisions coming here was because James Harden was here,” Beverley said.

"I love him. James, I love you, bro. Stay. … I’m very familiar with James. And I’m excited. I’m excited to get it going. He knows I’m here. So we’ll see.”

The writing seems to be on the wall that James Harden just might be in the Sixers opening night lineup come the start of the 2023-24 season.

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports