James Harden, a guard with the Philadelphia 76ers, did not attend practice on Wednesday, sources informed ESPN.
Harden, who has been looking for a trade ever since selecting his $35.6 million player option for the 2023–24 season, was supposed to take part in practice on Wednesday. Harden hinted last week that he would make his preseason debut against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at home, in the team’s final exhibition game.
In the previous few days, Harden has been in Houston, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. Harden had a meeting with the team on Sunday in New York. Before choosing how to handle any punishment, the team intends to give Harden the chance to defend his absence, according to sources.
For months, Harden has been disappointed that his request to be dealt to the LA Clippers has not yet been fulfilled. Although the two teams have recently spoken, there is still a significant difference between them over a possible Harden trade, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday.
Harden hinted on Friday that he might make his preseason debut on Friday in Philadelphia during his lone media appearance since reporting to training camp earlier this month.
“I’ll ramp it up a bit and try to play the final match just to get myself in games and get used to the physicality of defenders bumping you and whatnot,” Harden said at the time. “The tempo, speed, and all that great things. So I believe our strategy is sound.
He was present for Sunday’s practice but missed Monday’s shootaround and Monday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. The 76ers were off on Tuesday, so Wednesday would be the next opportunity he might have to play with his teammates.
Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Harden had been close friends ever since Morey acquired him in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the 2012–13 season. In August, Harden called Morey a “liar” at a shoe event in China.
Harden declared on Friday that there was no possibility of that bond being mended, and he frequently referred to Morey as “the front office” while omitting his name.
When asked directly if he thought matters with Morey could be resolved, Harden answered categorically, “No.” This is a fact of life; it has nothing to do with the circumstance at all. Do you know what I mean when I say that losing someone’s trust is like ending a marriage? It’s not that difficult.
Later, Harden continued, “I had a very, very good relationship with the front office for ten years. Do you get what I mean when I say that contact was ongoing? As soon as we lost [against Boston in the playoffs], there was no contact.
Despite missing the first three preseason contests, both Harden and Joel Embiid were expected to play against Atlanta on Friday.