James Harden has indicated that he’s willing to make things uncomfortable for the Philadelphia 76ers until he gets the trade he requested, but there were no incidents on his first day at training camp, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
It was business as usual as Harden worked out with his teammates at Colorado State University. He skipped media day amid a public feud with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and missed the first day of camp, but he was fully engaged Wednesday as he participated in drills.
Head coach Nick Nurse said Harden “looked good” and showed up in shape. The expectation is that he will continue to fulfill his obligations to the team until his situation is resolved.
“He’s here. He knows the schedule, and we expect him to be there,” Nurse said. “I think we can wait and see on (where things go from here), but every indication is that he’s here (now).”
Speculation has been rampant about what Harden might do in an attempt to force his way out of Philadelphia. His trade demand, which was made when he picked up his $35.6M option for this season in late June, is now more than three months old with no signs of traction on a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, his preferred choice – or anyone else.
Harden believes he was deceived in contract talks by the organization and specifically Morey, whom he called a liar during a public appearance in China this summer. Harden also vowed never to play for a team that was run by Morey again, but it appears he may have no choice.
Harden left Wednesday’s practice before the media was allowed in, but teammates echoed Nurse’s sentiments. Harden didn’t address the team before practice or when he arrived in Colorado on Tuesday, but Tobias Harris said there was no need for an explanation.
“We’re all grown men here,” Harris said. “Everybody understands the business of the game of basketball at this point. Personally, he doesn’t have to address myself or anybody, truthfully.” But his participation, in my opinion, is addressing that. He’s here, and his attitude and energy today allowed everybody to understand that he wants to go out here and compete with us and get stuff done. In my opinion, that’s all, really, that matters, is his energy and effort towards myself and all our teammates.”
Unlike the team’s standoff with Ben Simmons two years ago, there are no hard feelings between Harden and any of his teammates, Bontemps adds. The organization has made overtures to ease the tension, including making a 25 percent salary payment to Harden two days earlier than it was due.
While the Sixers have to be relieved to see one of their stars back on the court and interacting with his coaches and teammates, the basic structure of the situation hasn’t changed. Harden still wants out and Morey seems determined to hold onto him unless he can get a return that keeps the team in title contention, so any good feelings from Wednesday aren’t guaranteed to last.
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