James Harden is stuck with the Philadelphia 76ers for the time being.
The Los Angeles Clippers, reportedly Harden’s preferred destination, are tabling trade talks with the 76ers involving the 10-time All-Star, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.
“At least for the foreseeable future, the Clippers are stepping back from these trade talks about James Harden. They’re essentially pausing them,” Wojnarowski said on “NBA Countdown” before the Knicks-Celtics game. “They have talked with Philadelphia for months about a trade. They’ve made their best offer for Harden, and they are now going to start their season and see what this team looks like with a healthy Kawhi Leonard, a healthy Paul George.
“Now the Clippers may revisit this at some point, but they know they’re the only bidder for James Harden. They’re the only team that’s made a serious offer. They don’t want to bid against themselves. While they may revisit this later in the season, I think the Sixers have to wonder, ‘Have we already gotten the best offer we’re gonna get for James Harden,’ especially as the games start to peel off the calendar. And if you’re the Clippers, why offer more when there’s fewer and fewer games James Harden can play for you?”
Harden, 34, rejoined the 76ers on Wednesday after skipping practices for a week and, according to The Athletic, was asked by the team to work out at the practice facility instead of traveling for a season-opening two-game road trip despite having his bags packed.
In August, Harden blasted 76ers president Daryl Morey, with whom he worked in Houston, as a “liar” and said he’d never again be a part of an organization with Morey.
The 76ers open their season Thursday night in Milwaukee and head to Toronto on Saturday before playing their home opener Sunday against the Trail Blazers.
The Clippers won their season opener Wednesday night at home over Portland.
Leonard missed the final three games of the Clippers’ five-game, first-round playoff loss to the Suns in April with a knee injury, while George missed the entire series with his own knee injury.