5 Reasons the James Harden, 76ers debacle is about to get even worse

The Philadelphia 76ers had a quiet offseason and are now the biggest story in the league. James Harden made his desire to be traded clear when he opted into his contract. The ten-time All-Star wanted a max deal, but the Sixers did not offer one. Philadelphia explored the trade market when Harden made the request, but Adrian Wojnarowski reported over the weekend the team has stopped talks.

The Sixers want to bring him to training camp, but Harden is not budging from his stance. The ten-time All-Star even called 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar” in a recently released video. Things are just starting to heat up, and there appears to be zero end in sight.

Harden and Morey have a history that dates back more than a decade and both have been in similar situations. Judging by what happened, things are about to get uglier in the City of Brotherly Love.

Reasons why the James Harden debacle with the Philadelphia 76ers is about to get even worse

5.  76ers just had an ugly trade standoff with Ben Simmons

Fans do not have to rack their brain’s to remember Daryl Morey and the Sixers were just in this situation two years ago. Ben Simmons had a disastrous playoff series in 2021 and refused to play for the franchise again. He held out through February’s trade deadline before Morey traded him for James Harden.

Morey never got uncomfortable. He refused to sell low on Simmons and managed to get a co-star for Joel Embiid in return. It cost the 76ers two role players and two first-round picks, but Morey made it happen. It took months and a lot of difficult moments for Philadelphia to get the result they wanted.

Things could be different in this situation if fans take a look at James Harden’s history.