Harden Trade Talks Reach Shocking Conclusion

The James Harden trade talks have reached an unexpected conclusion here in the middle of August. The Philadelphia 76ers have officially ended any trade discussion on Harden, and are expecting the 10-time All-Star to report to training camp next month. 

ESPN Sources: The 76ers have ended trade talks on guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for start of the season. The Sixers had periodic offseason conversations with the Clippers — Harden’s desired destination — but no traction on a deal materialized. pic.twitter.com/sJwXMsBYKW

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2023

But there's a bit of a flaw with that plan, in that Harden says he will not play another game for the Sixers.  

Harden opted into the final year of his $35M contract for the coming season, only to immediately demand a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. That team has been pretty disinterested in working out a deal for the disgruntled bearded one, and there were no other teams stepping up to show any interest in Harden, either. 

And so, the Sixers find themselves right back in the same situation they were in two years ago, with an All-Star point guard, under contract, insisting he won't be reporting to camp or ever play for the team again. We all know how the Ben Simmons situation ended up (i.e. with Harden coming to Philly), and now it's happening again. 

Harden will become a free agent next summer, and one has to wonder if sitting out the season (as Simmons did before him) would be his best route. 

The Sixers Standoff: 2023 Version is now on. 

Photo: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports