FORT COLLINS, Colo. – As James Harden walked off the Moby Arena practice floor Thursday after his second day of training camp, it was only fitting that the man who has drawn so much ire from the Philadelphia 76ers star all these months should be president Daryl Morey, head of basketball operations, was on his way there.
But the two of them never crossed paths and exchanged no crosswords. And so the good vibes that have surprised so many since Harden decided to rejoin the team on Wednesday remained intact. Harden smiled before leaving, speaking with assistant coaches Bobby Jackson and Rico Hines near one of the baskets after a practice in which he took part in team drills but not live action. Multiple sources with knowledge of Harden’s two workouts say he was an engaged and positive participant. Morey, who has made it so clear that he won’t honor Harden’s trade request to the Clippers until his asking price is met, also appeared to be in good spirits.
All of this raised the question of why.
Why did Harden, who famously called Morey a “liar” in August and swore he would “never be a part of any organization he was a part of,” choose to show up to work and act so professionally? So few saw it coming?
The most obvious answer is, of course, money.
By participating, Harden avoids a financial fate like Ben Simmons, when he lost about $20 million during his standoff with the Sixers in the 2021-22 season. But beyond the money matters, league sources say Harden is also participating because he remains hopeful that a move to the Clippers is still in the works and believes it would be wise not to deflect for now. And the Clippers will go to great lengths to make that happen, according to league sources.
According to league sources, the Clippers have spoken with several teams about the possibility of executing pick swaps for additional draft capital with the intent of strengthening their offering and getting a deal done.
According to league sources, the Clippers offered the Sixers an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and salary for Harden in July, but Philadelphia has set a much higher threshold. Sources added that the Sixers valued fifth-year forward Terance Mann and several first-round picks in a potential trade with the Clippers. Mann, who averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds a season ago, has become an interesting prospect for teams in recent years.
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If the Clippers are able to add to their offering in the meaningful way the two teams previously discussed, then the next phase of this Harden saga will unfold from there and the ball would be in Morey’s court, so to speak. But for now, with Sixers camp wrapping up on Friday and a preseason game in Boston on Sunday, it seems likely that Harden’s participation will continue.
For a team that has maintained its message of championship ambition and whose first-year coach Nick Nurse is holding his camp in Colorado to remind his players that the title goes over the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the unresolved Harden situation is clearly a massive obstacle to this Goal. And while sources say Harden’s stance remains as strong as ever – he wants his Sixers career to end and play for his hometown Clippers – it was a surprise to many that these first two days were so devoid Drama unfolded. What’s more, he came into camp in shape after what must have been an entire summer of snarky comments on social media from fans and members of the media about how he was likely to be overweight.
“It was good,” Sixers great and reigning MVP Joel Embiid said after practice when asked about Harden’s return. “He did a little bit of work. Of course he didn’t act (in live action), but the energy was great. He’s there and I think he’s great for us. Coming in and not being a distraction – at least not that it would distract us because we were so focused.
“I think this group is a little different than a few years ago when we had that situation (with Simmons). With a new coaching staff and everything going on, it was easy. I don’t think anyone was distracted by what was going on.”
Embiid was then asked if he expected Harden to essentially remain with the team in the coming days and weeks.
“Uh, I don’t know,” he continued. “He’s here. He’s practicing with us and that’s all we know. But like I said, we’re not focused on that. We’re just trying to focus on getting the offense and defense together and figuring out how we play together can.”
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While Harden did not attend the team dinner Tuesday night when the Sixers traveled to nearby Boulder to meet with Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, he is staying at the team hotel. And as veteran guard Danny Green detailed, the on-court component was viewed as positive by his teammates.
“I would also like to praise guys like Pat (Beverley), PJ (Tucker) and James,” Green told The Athletic. “Since these guys have been in the league and since their tenure, they have all been professionals. At the end of the day, James is a professional. And people may not see him that way, but he’s a winner. He’s probably in the top five or ten for most wins since he’s been in the league. Maybe not playoffs and championships, but he wins and comes to work and works on his body and it shows. … He takes his body seriously. He takes his game seriously. And he’s just not the type of guy that comes in and distracts.”
But like everyone in the Sixers organization, Green understands that there is a level of unpredictability with Harden that will likely continue until his wish is granted.
“At the end of the day, having played against him for so many years and only playing with him for a short time and knowing James, I can’t imagine him not playing,” Green said. “There’s a little bit of ignorance about what he’s going to do next. He’s upset, but I think he’s trying to separate the two. You can get upset, but be a family here, be great with his teammates and brothers and be a part of something that he knows can make a difference and be special.”
(Photo by James Harden: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)