A James Harden trade request has now become as inevitable as the NBA offseason itself. When Harden is unhappy with his employers, the entire basketball fraternity will hear about it. The Philadelphia 76ers and Daryl Morey know this all too well. To nobody's surprise, Harden aggregated another move -- this time to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His electric start in Cleveland looms as a potential dagger to the 76ers’ championship dreams should the two sides meet in the playoffs.
During an offseason Adidas event in China before the 2023-24 campaign, Harden made his feelings very apparent about the 76ers' general manager after deeming trust to be broken after contract negotiations broke down.
The 36-year-old slammed Morey to reporters by stating, "Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” He then continued his sensational tirade with the following comment, "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.”
Whether Harden’s version of events is the gospel truth is beside the point. When presented with the chance to secure one of the NBA’s premier playmakers during a championship window, the 76ers' decision was short-sighted -- and may now be about to pay a heavy price.
Harden's return to the Eastern Conference spells trouble
Philadelphia fans can testify that the telepathic partnership between James Harden and Joel Embiid was truly a thing of beauty. Embiid is arguably the most dominant center in the NBA when healthy, but without Harden's assistance during the 2022-23 season, the Sixers superstar's MVP award may have been handed to another player. The 31-year-old recorded 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting a career-high 54.8% from the floor.
Just as Embiid benefited from Harden's elite vision, Harden benefited from Embiid's outrageous offensive attributes. The 11-time All-Star averaged 21 points and 10.7 assists throughout his full season with Embiid. What could have been if this formidable duo had been allowed to flourish for another campaign is unfathomable.
However, as time moves on, so does James Harden. Now based in Cleveland, the former Los Angeles Clippers star has already established another exciting partnership with the explosive Donovan Mitchell. Much to Morey's and the Sixers' frustrations, this collaboration could prevent the franchise from reaching the Eastern Conference finals and beyond.
Whatever your opinion is on Harden's postseason history, in the here and now, his trade to the Cavaliers undoubtedly makes them a stronger outfit. This is a player who possesses an aura that causes defenders to second-guess their every move. His presence on the floor acts like a human-magnet, drawing double-teams from every angle, and creating space for other offensive weapons such as Mitchell, Jarett Allen, and Evan Mobley.
Allen is already reaping the benefits of playing with the renowned playmaker during their short time together -- scoring 22 and 21 points over the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards, respectively. Allen's ability to find mismatches in the post has allowed Harden to feast, assisting his teammates 18 times in just two games with Philadelphia's Eastern Conference rivals.
Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers must be thinking what could have been if they had met James Harden's contract demands. Given the current state of the Eastern Conference, it is more than plausible that these two franchises will come head-to-head as they make a push for the NBA Finals. Knowing the Sixers, I can only imagine how this one would end...