James Harden publicly calls 76ers president a 'liar' in bold trade tactic
- Jason Soutar
- 14 August 2023
Philadelphia 76ers superstar James Harden has upped his efforts to leave by publicly calling president Daryl Morey a "liar".
Harden is eager to leave Philadelphia and is reportedly interested in joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George at the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 76ers had agreed to engage in trade talks, though ESPN have reported that the East franchise asked for too much in return.
After failing to agree a deal with another NBA side, the 76ers want the one-time MVP to report for training camp for the start of the 2023/24 season.
But in a bid to leave Philadelphia, Harden is trying to burn all bridges with the franchise.
During his tour of China, the former Houston Rockets two-guard was recorded saying: "Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he's a part of.
"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."
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 14, 2023
James Harden sounds off on his thoughts about Daryl Morey 😳
(via @TomerAzarly)pic.twitter.com/WemwhlkhFJ
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has explained why Harden is upset with Morey.
"Harden is unhappy with Sixers president Daryl Morey over the lack of a long-term maximum-level contract offer, sources said, and the team is risking Harden's arrival at training camp bringing anything but a championship mindset," Wojnarowski reported over the weekend.
"The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden's request after he agreed to pick up his $35.6 million player option in June, but the Sixers' asking price was steep and no teams, including the Clippers, were willing or able to meet it, sources said.
"Philadelphia believes it will be a championship contender with Harden's return alongside MVP center Joel Embiid and the team is determined to find a way to make it work with Harden this season."
The Sixers disappointed in last season's Playoffs despite having 22/23 MVP Joel Embiid playing alongside Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris.
Embiid and co. swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round before throwing away a 3-2 semi-finals lead against the Boston Celtics.
While Harden is certainly past his best, he can still contribute on the offensive end and averaged 20.3 points and 8.3 assists per game in the 2023 Playoffs.
This is not the first time the 33-year-old has pushed for a trade; it is the season he landed in Philly in the first place.
He left the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022 having requested a trade to join the Eastern Conference outfit from the Houston Rockets - where Harden averaged 29.6 PPG across nine seasons - 13 months prior.
