James Harden calls Daryl Morey a ‘liar’
If you thought the James Harden trade saga ended over the weekend after Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey said their plan is to keep Harden and end trade discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers–Harden’s only preferred destination–then you’re (slightly) wrong.
Harden, visibly disgruntled, made headlines Monday morning after crushing Morey when he was asked about Morey cutting off trade talks during an event in China.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
Harden opted into his $35.6 million player option this offseason, though he opted in with the assumption that he was getting traded to the Clippers, the only team he requested to get traded to. He signed a two-year, $68.6 million deal last offseason after opting out of a $47.4 million player option–helping the Sixers create flexibility so they were able to bring in P.J. Tucker (for the full mid-level), Danuel House (for the bi-annual) and De’Anthony Melton (via trade).
The 10-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA member wasn’t eligible for an extension this offseason, regardless if he was traded to a new team, because he signed a two-year deal. If he opted out, he would’ve been eligible for a four-year extension worth up to just below $210 million, but neither side obviously went in that direction.
While Harden’s requested a trade from three teams over the last three years, Morey–who has a long-standing working relationship with Harden, dating back to Harden’s nine-year run with the Houston Rockets–also has a history of being as patient as possible in trade negotiations to get what he wants.
It’s no surprise that there wasn’t a trade market for Harden because of his trade history and by also placing one team on his trade request list. He could possibly re-build some trade value by the February trade deadline–if he plays–if he truly wants out, but it appears that both sides have reached a severe impasse with training camp approaching in early October.
According to the new CBA, per ESPN cap insider Bobby Marks, if Harden holds out of his player contract for more than 30 days after the start of the new season, he will not be able to sign with a new team in 2024 without Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ consent–thus rewarding the Sixers with additional leverage.
What do you think happens next in the James Harden-Daryl Morey trade drama? Plus, what does this mean for Sixers superstar Joel Embiid? Let us know in the comments below!
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