James Harden calls Daryl Morey ‘a liar’ in shocking Sixers escalation
James Harden has made it clear how he really feels about Daryl Morey.
The 76ers guard called Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, a “liar” while at a recent press event in China with Adidas basketball — shortly after the Sixers ended trade talks with the disgruntled star.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden, who requested a trade out of Philadelphia in June, said in a video posted by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“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.”
Harden, according to Sports Illustrated, provided that answer after being asked: “What do you think about the current team claiming to end trade talks and trying to bring you back to the team?”
Harden, 33, is unhappy with Morey over the lack of a long-term max contract offer, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday.
The report added that the Sixers plan to bring Harden back to training camp for the start of the season.
However, the 10-time All-Star made it clear that he isn’t on board with the idea of staying with Philadelphia if Morey is there.
Following the news that Philadelphia ended trade talks for Harden, The Athletic reported Saturday the former MVP no longer wants to play for the Sixers and has no plans of taking part in training camp.
The 76ers had some conversations with the Clippers, Harden’s desired destination, but a deal never materialized, sources told ESPN — adding Philadelphia’s asking price was steep and no teams, including the Clippers, were willing or able to meet it.
Harden reportedly has been furious with the Sixers over taking a pay cut last season, and then being left in the dark throughout this offseason.
Harden took a $15 million pay cut in July 2022 and declined his $47.4 million player option with the 76ers to sign a $33 million deal for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Athletic reported Harden was extremely upset at how the Sixers handled his potential free agency and he made that clear to the organization.
Despite the situation, ESPN reports the Sixers are determined to make things work with Harden.
Harden arrived in Philly as part of the blockbuster deal that sent guard Ben Simmons to the Nets in February 2022, following Simmons’ summer standoff with the Sixers in 2021.
Harden and Morey spent eight seasons together with the Rockets after Morey brought the guard to Houston via trade from Oklahoma City in 2012.
