After more than a week away from the Philadelphia 76ers, things did not go according to plans when James Harden finally returned to practice.
Harden, per reports, unexpectedly showed up to team practice on Wednesday morning. But before the first game of the season, he was instead asked to stay at the team’s practice facility.
There was initially hope from key players (including Joel Embiid) on the 76ers that Harden would change his mind and revoke his trade request. But the latest details suggest it is increasingly unlikely that the two parties make amends.
Here is more from league insider Chris Haynes (via Bleacher Report):
“Initially, staying back was interpreted as a suggestion rather than a mandate, sources say. Harden proceeded to participate in portions of the session with the intention of joining the team on the flight to Milwaukee that afternoon.
After practice, Harden arrived at the fixed-base operator airport to board the team flight, but he was stopped by a security official who notified him that he was not permitted to accompany the team, sources say.
General manager Elton Brand and head coach Nick Nurse spoke to Harden to explain that the organization prefers he accepts and follows their workout plan, which includes staying at the practice facility while the team is away, sources say.”
Yikes!
It is worth noting that according to Haynes, the 2018 NBA MVP left the airport without creating any further incident.
But it is never a good sign when a team needs security to tell a star player not to board a flight right before the season begins.
