Daryl Morey confirmed what seemed to be pretty well-known about the ongoing situation between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking with 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations acknowledged that Harden wanted to play elsewhere next season.
However, the 76ers need a return that will keep them in the mix as a title contender.
“If we don’t get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player, then we’re just not going to do it,” Morey told the sports talk station, according to the Philly Voice. “If James were to turn his mind around, we would all be thrilled. You’ve heard [Joel Embiid’s] comments about that.
“But at this moment, he prefers to be traded, and we are attempting to honor that.”
Morey added: “I do have a long relationship with him, and I am attempting to honor that. But the reality is if we do look at a trade, it will be for one of two things. It’s either going to be for a player who helps us be right there like we were last year … Or we are going to do something where we get enough draft picks or things like that in a deal, such that we can then turn those into a player who can be a running mate with Joel.”
It appeared Morey was addressing a Monday report about the fractured relationship between himself and the 33-year-old Harden.
Harden had opted into his player option late last month with the intention of working with the 76ers to facilitate a trade out of the City of Brotherly Love.
The point guard reportedly has eyes on one specific team that he’d like to go to — the Los Angeles Clippers.
However, that may not align at the moment with what the Sixers and Morey want.
“We need to make sure that Joel Embiid, who is one of the best players on Earth, has a top running mate,” Morey said. “We know we need more talent, whether that’s James returning or what we turn James into.”
And the plan that Morey is trying to execute goes beyond just this season.
Jalen McDaniels, Shake Milton and Georges Niang all left the team in the offseason and Morey said that he wants to maintain cap flexibility for his team.
Only PJ Tucker and Embiid have guaranteed money in 2024-25.
“So what we’re attempting to do is have the best team possible this year but also have the ability that, if we get into a next season situation, to be a very unique team with the most cap room of a team that’s as good as us,” Morey said.
Harden’s request has garnered some comparison to Ben Simmons’ situation with the 76ers a few seasons ago.
While they may not be entirely comparable, Harden’s desire to leave Philly has become quite the turn of events this offseason.