I felt like Harden was deeply hurt by Morey's "betrayal" and there's no going back from that. It's like of all people it's someone that babied him for a decade
This situation reminds some of us about a negative aspect of Morey's work, IMHO. He wants to hold on and then have that cap space next summer (or whatever). It's a spreadsheet mentality, and he's often very good at that level of analysis. But meanwhile, there is an effective brand of the team. You have players under contract who want to compete and contend this year. You may want to retain some of them. By pretending that all these things maintain their present settings, just because they don't exist in your spreadsheet, you end up miscalculating, and sometimes miscalculating badly. After a nasty year, where we get to keep hearing about how Morey is a liar, untrustworthy, etc, and the Sixers meh their way to a 7th seed and a first-round exit (if even that), Morey can lick his chops over his two big FA slots... but now there's the human side of enticing human beings to want to sign with you. I know I'm oversimplifying, but the most basic human factors side of this says to get Harden out of your building. Even if you only have one big FA slot next summer, maybe you could actually attract a good player to a good situation, and the player can think Harden is the main problem (which is at least 51% true I think). Oh well. I had always kind of liked the Sixers going back to Dr. J and Andrew Toney. But I actively root against them now. Let them fester.
Sixers, James Harden Made Mutual Decision For Him To Sit Out Scrimmage James Harden did not play in the Philadelphia 76ers annual Blue and White scrimmage. Nor was Harden introduced with his teammates ahead of the scrimmage. This was apparently a mutual decision made by the Sixers and Harden. Nick Nurse said it was decided that none of the veterans would play in the scrimmage. Nurse didn't comment on why Harden wasn't introduced with the rest of the team. Harden reiterated to the media in recent days that he didn't think his relationship with the 76ers front office could be repaired. Harden continues to seek a trade, and Philadelphia has remained engaged with other teams in trade talks for the star guard.
It's kind of sad that Harden's value is now down to a FRP, a swap, and some expiring. But Morey and Harden brought this to themselves. Each has nobody to blame but himself.
While professional and engaged when present, James Harden has not attended any of the 76ers' preseason games and has participated in just one team practice scrimmage over 14 days of training camp, sources say. — @ShamsCharania
[Charania] While professional and engaged when present, James Harden has not attended any of the 76ers' preseason games and has participated in just one team practice scrimmage over 14 days of training camp, sources say. https://sports.yahoo.com/tyrese-max...er-level-despite-76ers-turmoil-133646084.html
