James Harden bluntly ripped 76ers president Daryl Morey on Monday when asked about a recent ESPN report that the team has stopped looking to trade him after failing to find an acceptable deal.
“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden said while in Beijing. “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 in the NBA.”
It appears the relationship between Harden and Morey has soured to the point of no return and the 10-time All Star has no intention of suiting up for Philadelphia again—at least while Morey is at the helm.
James Harden calling Daryl Morey a liar was a response to a question about the Sixers ending trade talks and wanting to bring him back to the team next season.
— Clippers UK (@ClippersUK) August 14, 2023
This was part of an Adidas event in Beijing today. pic.twitter.com/A65YXfLwA4
Harden exercised his $35.6 million player option in June with the expectation that the team would work with him to find a suitable trade destination, but in July, Morey said Harden wouldn’t be moved if the franchise didn’t find a good deal.
“If we don’t get either a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player, we are not going to do it,” Morey said.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the 76ers were ending trade talks in regard to Harden. Later the same day, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Harden still desired a trade and intends to skip training camp if the 76ers don’t execute a swap. According to ESPN, Harden is upset with Morey for not offering him a maximum-level contract.
Morey and Harden have a relationship that goes back to 2012 when Morey acquired Harden in a trade to the Rockets while he was Houston’s general manager. The two stayed together until 2021 when Harden forced his way out of Houston in a trade to the Nets but reunited when the 76ers traded for him in 2022.
Last year, the 33-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game in 58 games played.
