With training camp beginning on Tuesday, James Harden is still a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have yet to receive an offer they deem fit for them to move their elite playmaker. Therefore, they expect him to be at training camp with the team.
Considering he is under contract for $35.6 million for the 2023-24 season, he ought to show up and participate in camp.
This is not the first time Harden has requested a trade. He forced his way off the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets already. Now, he is looking to force his way out of Philadelphia.
Former NBA champions Matt Barnes and Kevin Garnett had a warning for Harden as the new season approaches:
Barnes: I think James has to be careful because the NBA doesn’t need him. The NBA doesn’t need him no more. I’m all for player power empowerment. All of us for player empowerment, but he forced his way to Houston, forced his way out of Brooklyn, now he’s trying to force the way out of Philly. Like, at some point everyone’s gonna be saying like — and he’s got so much talent a lot of game left, to talk himself out of the league with his talent, which is a crazy to think.
Garnett: I think, a couple times, when you wiggle your way out bro, you only got about one or two wiggles. You ain’t got no infinite (wiggles).
Barnes: We all feel like he has so much game left. He’s not the player he was, but he’s still a 19 and 10 type guy, so he can still play. So my thing with him is he just has to be careful. As good as he is, the way he’s been wiggling. Like KG said, you only get so many wiggles.
Matt Barnes: “I think James [Harden] has to be careful because the NBA doesn’t need him.”
Kevin Garnett: “When you wiggle your way out, you only got one or two wiggles. You ain’t got infinite wiggles.” 👀
(via @shobasketball)pic.twitter.com/Nxdo6Jy5XG
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 29, 2023
The Harden situation continues to rage on, and it could get more entertaining as training camp rolls around. The Sixers will not trade him just to do it and get it over with. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has shown his patience in the past to wait for the right move that will benefit his team.
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