The 76ers’ efforts to find a trade partner for James Harden haven’t proven fruitful and now, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Philadelphia is expected to cease trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old and bring him back for training camp ahead of the 2023–24 campaign.
Wojnarowski indicates that the Clippers and 76ers held discussions over a potential deal for Harden, but nothing ever materialized between the two sides.
Harden opted into the final year of his contract in Philadelphia but under the premise that the team would work with him to find a suitable trade destination. After struggling to do so, the team has switched gears and is reportedly hoping to “make things work” with him this season.
Harden will turn 34 before the 2023-24 NBA season begins and is due to make $35.64 million this year before hitting unrestricted free agency.
Across 58 games last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds while shooting at a 38.5% clip from three-point range. His 21 points per game were his fewest in a season since ’11-12, his final year with the Thunder.
During both of his seasons in Philadelphia, the 76ers have lost in the second round of the playoffs. Despite that, Wojnarowski reports that the Sixers remain hopeful that they can win a championship with their current core of Harden and the league’s reigning MVP, Joel Embiid.
