On the eve of the 76ers season-opener at Milwaukee, disgruntled guard James Harden reported to the Philadelphia facility on Wednesday, per multiple reports.
Harden returned to the team but is not expected to play Thursday night against the Bucks, according to The Athletic.
A limited participant in his brief time with the team during training camp, Harden was away from the team for 10 days. He hasn’t participated in full-court or five-on-five work with the team in more than a week. His physical condition might only be part of the equation based on his summertime position that he would never play for Philadelphia again.
Harden said this month that his relationship with team president Daryl Morey is beyond repair, repeating his preference to be traded.
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid said he remains optimistic Harden will stick around.
Yahoo Sports and The Athletic reported no trade appears to be imminent involving Harden, who reportedly prefers a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.
“This is in life,” Harden said earlier this month. “When you lose trust in someone, it’s like a marriage. … I wanted to retire a Sixer. And the front office didn’t have that in their future plans.”
Harden, a six-time first-team All-NBA player acquired twice by Morey, soured on his boss and made clear when he spoke in August at an Adidas event in China that he wouldn’t play for the 76ers again.
“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said then. “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.”
–Field Level Media