James Harden Expresses Displeasure Towards the 76ers President

During a press event in China on Monday, James Harden openly conveyed his dissatisfaction with the team president, Daryl Morey.

Just a few days after reports emerged that James Harden’s wish to be traded had been quashed by the Philadelphia 76ers, the prominent guard had some remarks for the team’s president, Daryl Morey.

While participating in an Adidas press event in China, James Harden was posed with inquiries. In response, he candidly shared his sentiments about Daryl Morey, the president of basketball operations for the Sixers.

Harden was asked by an individual in the crowd, “What do you think about the current team claiming to end trade talks and trying to bring you back to the team?” His answer was more than candid.

“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.”

According to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday, the 76ers decided to halt trade discussions concerning Harden, despite his strong desire to be traded, which he had apparently communicated several months ago.

The 76ers had aspired for James Harden, alongside the reigning Kia MVP, Joel Embiid, to lead the team to at least the Eastern Conference Finals, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2001. However, Philadelphia has fallen short in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the past two seasons, including a recent 4-3 loss to Boston after initially leading the series 3-2.

After establishing himself as a perennial MVP contender (and winning the award) during his tenure with the Houston Rockets, Harden’s performance has been curtailed while playing alongside Kevin Durant in Brooklyn and now Embiid in Philadelphia.

Nonetheless, the three-time scoring champion and two-time assists leader has maintained an average of at least 20 points and 10 assists in each of the last three seasons since leaving the Rockets. He led the league with 10.7 assists per game last year, while his 3-point shooting percentage of 38.5% was his highest since 2011-12, a season during which he played for a young, up-and-coming Oklahoma City squad featuring future MVPs Harden, Durant, and Russell Westbrook.

Wojnarowski adds that though Harden has been adamant about being traded this offseason, the 76ers “wouldn’t make a trade that they believed would compromise their title hopes.”

In the offseason, Harden opted into his contract for next season for $35.6 million. The 33-year-old Harden could have declined the option and decided to try free agency. The Sixers had the right to offer him a $210 million, four-year deal, $8 million more overall than any other team.

If a trade involving James Harden were to materialize, it would signify his third trade since he initially requested a trade from the Houston Rockets in February 2021.