James Harden says his 'marriage' with Daryl Morey is irreparable

While Harden is in training camp with the Sixers, he hadn't talked to reporters until Friday. He continued his offseason refrain of "Daryl Morey is a liar" that he began in China, though he softened it to saying he "lost trust" in Morey.

"I wanted to retire a Sixer," Harden said, though that does conflict with months of rumors that Harden was interested in a return to the Houston Rockets. But after the Rockets hired coach Ime Udoka, The Athletic reported that the team decided to "pass on another Harden chapter."

While Harden said his relationship was "like a marriage," by opting into his 2023-24 contract, he was the one who passed up a chance to leave. Some married couples stay together for the children. Harden is staying with the Sixers for the guaranteed $35.6 million.

It's always difficult when two people in a relationship have different goals. Harden wanted Philly to make a long-term commitment to him. Morey wanted to keep their relationship casual, and spend a year just hanging out, to keep their options and cap space open. A disappointed Harden hurt Morey in return by openly flirting with other franchises.

Meanwhile, the Sixers are sending signals that they might break up with both Harden and Tobias Harris next summer when their contracts expire, and get together with someone younger.

As does in so many relationships, the final rift occurred when they stopped communicating.

"Me and the front office had a very, very good relationship for a decade," Harden told reporters. "There was constant communication, you know what I mean? There was no communication once we lost."

The Sixers and Harden may well go through the motions for one more year, but the love is gone. But no matter what happens, Philadelphia has custody of Harden's buddy P.J. Tucker for two more seasons. Maybe Harden can visit him every other weekend.