PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a play against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
James Harden’s bold Daryl Morey comments are a gift to Knicks
It’s especially nice for the current Atlantic Division drama to not directly involve the New York Knicks, who have put together a quiet offseason. Instead, the Sixers and Daryl Morey are under fire by one of the team’s current players — James Harden.
At his request, Harden was traded to Philadelphia from Brooklyn before the 2022 trade deadline. He left behind a struggling Nets organization that has since lost Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Sixers were seemingly in a good position after finally offloading Ben Simmons, but a year and a half later, Philadelphia is in a tough spot with two months remaining until the 2023-24 regular season.
Harden requested a trade from the Sixers in June after he opted into his $35.6 million player option. On Sunday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Morey and Philadelphia “ended trade talks” involving Harden and instead were expecting Harden to show up to training camp. It didn’t take long for Harden to respond.
Knicks rival under fire after James Harden calls Daryl Morey a “liar”
In case it hasn’t been made clear, James Harden has no intention of playing another basketball game for the Sixers. He’s maintained that he wants to be traded to the Clippers. Philadelphia is risking another Ben Simmons situation, if not worse.
The Harden-Morey drama couldn’t be better for the Knicks, who have been closely monitoring Joel Embiid’s situation. The reigning MVP has said he’d like for Harden to stay with Philadelphia in 2023-24. The Sixers are in a position where they need to do everything they can to build a winning roster around Embiid, but the Harden situation severely complicates the matter.
Embiid enters the new season at 29 and has three full seasons left on his current contract and a $59 million player option for 2026-27. If the Sixers collapse in 2023-24, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for Embiid to request a trade, especially if Embiid’s relationship with Morey takes a hit. Clearly, something isn’t right in Philadelphia.
Reportedly, Morey is “unmoved” by what Harden said, and Harden’s agent “advised him against making that statement.”
Who will cave first? Morey or Harden? The longer this situation goes on, the better for the Knicks. This isn’t a fire the Sixers will easily be able to put out, as it’s only gotten worse. Leon Rose and New York’s front office is watching and hoping the chaos will continue.
